Gambia wins WAFU Zone A U-17 title after penalty shootout victory over Senegal

The Gambia has been crowned the WAFU Zone A U-17 champions after defeating hosts Senegal in a dramatic penalty shootout. Following a 0-0 draw in regulation time at the Léopold Sédar Senghor Stadium in Dakar, Gambian goalkeeper Vanou Gomez emerged as the hero by saving a decisive penalty from Senegal’s Souleymane Commissaire Faye and performing well during the shootout, which The Gambia won 5-4.

With this victory, The Gambia ends Senegal’s streak of two consecutive regional titles. Both nations have secured qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) U-17 tournament in Morocco.

In the third-place playoff, Guinea secured the final qualification spot for the CAN U-17 by defeating Liberia 2-0. Boubacar Diallo scored both goals for the Guinean side, marking a successful return to continental competition for the nation after a seven-year absence. Liberia's defeat concludes their campaign in the qualifying tournament.