Senegal learn potential U23 Cup qualifying opponent

Senegal’s U23 side now has a clearer route into the 2023 Africa U23 Cup, although its second-round opponent will not be confirmed until another tie is settled. The team, coached by Serigne Saliou Dia, has been exempted from the opening stage and will enter the qualifying campaign in November.

Senegal will meet the winner of the two-leg first-round contest between Djibouti and South Sudan. That pairing is the first obstacle on the Senegalese route to the tournament’s final phase, with the national team needing to come through two rounds to reach Egypt.

The opening round involves 28 teams across 14 home-and-away ties. Those 14 winners will join the 14 nations, including Senegal, that received byes into the second round. The successful teams from that stage will advance to a third and final qualifying round.

Seven countries will emerge from the last round with places at the finals. Egypt, which is hosting the competition, already has an automatic berth, leaving Senegal to secure its place through the qualifiers. The tournament offers the Senegalese U23 team a chance to join Africa’s leading sides in the age-group competition, but its campaign must first begin against either Djibouti or South Sudan.