Sierra Leone U-20 Bow Out of WAFU A Qualifiers After 6-5 Penalty Defeat to Senegal
Sahid Bangura Sierra Leone’s U-20 national team, the Shooting Stars, suffered a narrow 6-5 defeat to Senegal on penalties in the third-place play-off of the 2026 WAFU A U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Qualifiers in Mali.
The two sides played out a 2-2 draw in regulation time before Senegal secured victory in the penalty shootout, ending Sierra Leone’s hopes of finishing third in the regional competition.
The Shooting Stars had earlier reached the semi-finals following an impressive group-stage campaign that began with a 2-2 draw against Mauritania. They subsequently secured qualification for the last four after their encounter with Senegal.
However, their pursuit of a place in the final ended with a 2-0 defeat to The Gambia in the semi-finals, sending them into the third-place play-off.
Despite failing to secure a podium finish, Sierra Leone’s young side demonstrated determination and resilience throughout the tournament, reaching the semi-final stage and competing strongly against their regional counterparts.
Although their campaign in Mali ended without a medal, the Shooting Stars’ performance offered encouraging signs for the future of the country’s youth football.
