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The Gambia and hosts Senegal triumphed in the CAF African Schools Football Championship for the WAFU A Zone, held in Diamniadio, Senegal.
The Scorpions of The Gambia emerged victorious in the Girls competition, while Senegal clinched the Boys competition with a convincing 2-0 success over their neighbors The Gambia.
The three-day competition featured three teams in the Girls division, while four teams battled it out in the Boys category played at the Annex of the Abdoulaye Wade Stadium in Diamniadio.
The Gambia retained their crown following a nail-biting 4-3 victory on penalties over Guinea following a goalless statement in regulation time.
Jarra Bojang was the heroine for the Gambian side as she saved two spot kicks to help her side into their third successive CAF African Schools Football Championship Finals ticket.
The Scorpions showed resilience throughout the match to keep their Guinean equivalence at bay before edging them on penalties.
Host nation Senegal powered their way past The Gambia in the Boys competition with a commanding 2-0 victory in front of their home faithful.
The Senegalese Cubs dominated proceedings and put their noses in front after six minutes courtesy of Souleymane Commissaire Faye’s spot kick.
Senegal doubled their advantage after twelve minutes to see out the Scorpions who were searching their first CAF African Schools Football Championship finals berth.
Guinea finished third in the boys division beating Mauritania 4-1 on penalties following a 1-1 stalemate in regulation time.
The Gambia (girls) and Senegal (boys) will represent the WAFU A zone at the third edition of the continental schools football competition for U-15s.
The two sides received gold medals, trophies, and a cheque of $100,000 for developmental projects.
The runners-up Guinea (girls) and The Gambia (boys) received $75, 000 each with silver medals, while the third-placed Senegal (girls) and Guinea (boys) earned $50, 000 and bronze medals respectively.
The tournament which is supported by the Motsepe Foundation is aimed at creating a future in football for every boy and girl in Africa.
Girls’ Awards:
Fair Play: Senegal
Best Goalkeeper: Aicha Conte (Guinea)
Top Scorer: Haiba Koulibaly (Guinea)
Best Player: Jarra Bojang (The Gambia)
Boys’ Awards:
Fair Play: The Gambia
Best Goalkeeper: Assane Sarr (Senegal)
Top Scorer: Souleymane Commissaire Faye
Best Player: Souleymane Commissaire Faye