Hosts, Senegal, stunned favourites, Mali, 2-1 on Thursday to reach the final of the 19th edition of the African U-20 Championship.
Striker Moussa Kone scored in either half to take the fairytale run of the hosts to the ultimate game where they will face Nigeria in the decisive match of the tournament. Midfielder Alassane Diallo scored in between for the Malians.
‘Les Lionceaux’ plotted one of the biggest upsets easing past favourites Mali, who prior to the encounter had an enviable record of being the only side with a 100 per cent record at the competition.
The Eaglets of Mali will battle Ghana in the third-place match also on Sunday. The hosts were forced to augment their starting line-up, especially in the area of goalkeeping, for the third time in as many matches, where France-based Ibrahim Sy was handed his first start of the competition.
The hosts held on to achieve a historic place at the final of the African U-20 Championship. It was the first time a Senegalese team had reached the final of a major continental championship since 2002 Africa Cup of Nations in Mali, where the Teranga Lions lost to Cameroon on penalties.