African giants in pole position for U20 World Cup spots

Published on: 19 April 2011

Ghana came out smoking, attacked the Nigerian goal, fighting to survive in a tournament they dominated two years ago at African and global level.

Four teams will qualify for the Fifa U20 World Cup in Columbia in July and in the first round of matches, Mali, Egypt, Nigeria and Cameroon set the pace with victories leaving defending champions Ghana needing to win their next two games to stand a chance of defending their African and world titles.

South Africa 2-4 Mali

The South African Under-20 side’s African Youth Championship will need miracles to progress in the tournament after losing 2-4 to Mali at the Dobsonville Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The Amajitas did start positively in the first half but with hardly any attempt at penetrating the closely knit Mali defence.

The Malians soaked up the pressure and often times turned up the heat the other way with swift counter-attacking led by Kalifa Coulibaly and the from Paris St German. They were 1-0 up on 30 minutes through Cheick Doumbia’s unstoppable 30 yard shot beyond Ajax Cape town keeper Tafeeq Salie in goal for South Africa.

South Africa drew level nine minutes later through Luck Nguzana but that would last only two minutes as Coulibaly restored Mali’s lead and he also made it 3-1 in the 39th minute.

The Amajitas would be further punished in the second half when a fumbling Salie dropped a long Mali free kick and the lurking Ibrahim Dialo cooly sloting in from close range on 67 minutes.

They would pull a goal back in the 78th minute when Nguzana completed his brace connecting Ncubeni’s cross with a classic volley but that was scant consolation.

Egypt 2-0 Lesotho

Egypt’s young Pharaohs got of to a great start in their quest for success in the Orange Caf African Youth Championship at Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto, Johannesburg when they defeated Lesotho 2-0.

The Egyptians dominated proceeedings in the first half but would labour till the 46th minute before scoring their first goal through Ahmed Hegazy who finished off a flowing move from his half. The central defender calmly slotted in what most strikers would be proud of.

Ghana 1-2 Nigeria

Ghana dominated early possession in the poor football pitch at Dobsonville, Soweto especially in the first half but it was the Nigerians who took the lead through Uche Nwofor calmly slotting in from close range.

They would equalize through … with a searing free kick ending the first half 1-1.The intense rivalry between these two teams was all too glaring as the game was played with the intensity of a cup finals, clearly none of them would settle for a draw.

They would start the second half like a house on fire, brilliant powerful runs will suddenly end with a defender magically stripping the ball away and the Nigerians would launch their counter attack with grace as the pulsating drums of the travelling supporters began to ring around the empty stands.

The growing Nigerian dominance payed off with Uche Nwofor scoring a bizarre winner with a cross from the right that fooled the goalkeeper. Ghana 1-2Nigeria, the final score.

Cameroon 1-0 Gambia

The Cameroon cubs beat Gambia 1-0 in with a goal scored by Salli Edgard as Cameroon's coach Martin Ndtoungou Mpile fielded his strongest side in months as the cubs took on Gambia.

It was a drab and physical game until Salli powered a long range free kick at the stroke of half time that hit the top corner of the Gambian goal off the Gambian goal keeper who attempted to punch the ball.

In the second half, the Gambians attempted to open up the game with flowing moves down the flanks but the junior Lions defended stoutly and soon began to dominate with goal attempts by the quartet of Tagueu, Mvom, Haman and Atouba. Gambia did have a great chance in the 83rd minute when Camara shot wide.

NEXT GAMES

The pairings for the second group games gives the losing teams from the first games a chance as it pairs winners Mali against Egypt and Nigeria against Cameroon with the winners all but assured of Semi-finals and world cup qualification.

Group A

Hosts South Africa will be looking for more than the chance of qualifiying.They would go for revenge against Lesotho who denied them qualification for this tournament they are now fortunate to participate as hosts.

20/04/2011 Mali v Egypt 12:00 Dobsonville 20/04/2011 Lesotho v South Africa 15:00Dobsonville Group B Ghana would look to a win against Gambia and for Nigeria to do them the favour of beating Cameroon to set up a winner takes all crackers against the young lions in their final game.

21/04/2011 Nigeria v Cameroon 12:00 Dobsonville 21/04/2011 Gambia v Ghana 15:00 Dobsonville

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