Gambia and Tunisia join Senegal and Nigeria in the semi-finals of the U20 AFCON. The Scorpions laminated South Sudan (5-0), while Tunisia eliminated the Congo in the penalty shootout (3-3, 4-5 pen), on Friday, March 3.
The Harras El-Hedoud stadium witnessed the XXL performance of the Gambia U20. The young Scorpions joined the final four by inflicting a mark to the team of South Sudan (5-0). The men of Abdoulie Bojang validate at the same time their ticket for the next U20 World Cup in Indonesia later this year.
With their sparkling form, the young Gambian players folded the match in the first half of play thanks to a double from Adama Bojang (3rd and 7th) and a header from Moses Jarju in the 28th minute.
Despite the three-goal lead, Gambia came back from the break with more desire. Just two minutes into the second half, Bojang scored a hat-trick after Sudanese goalkeeper Simon Sabio failed to clear the ball (47'). The Gambia's fifth goal came from Mahmudu Bajo, who scored the second goal of the game.
📹 HIGHLIGHTS: 🇬🇲 5-0 🇸🇸
An outstanding performance from The Gambia who run riot against South Sudan to earn a place in the 2023 #TotalEnergiesAFCONU20 semi-finals 📺 @Football2Gether | @TheGambiaFF pic.twitter.com/fHX5qsunQi
— #TotalEnergiesAFCONU20 (@CAF_Online) March 3, 2023
With zero goals conceded since the beginning of the tournament, the Scorpions will face the Nigerian team in the semi-finals, on Monday, March 6, 2023, at the international stadium in Cairo.
Tunisia qualifies ... in pain
Unlike the Gambia-Sudan match, the game between Tunisia and Congo was very tight. Until the 120th minute of play, the two teams were tied (3-3). It is finally in the penalty shootout that the Eagles snatched their qualification (4-5). A victory at the end of the suspense which allows them to validate their place for the next U20 World Cup.
The Congolese Déo Bassinga opened the score in the 24th minute of play on a beautiful pass from Exaucé Nzaou. El Djebali equalized for the Tunisians 13 minutes later. In stoppage time (45th+2) of the first half, Prince Sousou thought he was giving the Red Devils the lead, but his goal was cancelled by video assistance.
In the second half, the same situation is repeated with a goal of Ouahabi also cancelled by the VAR. But following a counter-attack of Adam Garreb, Samy Chouchane gives the advantage to the young Tunisians with a beautiful goal (1-2). Bassinga will quickly equalize for his team, with a double on a pass from Djigo Saïkou (80th, 2-2).
📹 HIGHLIGHTS: 🇨🇬 3 (4) - (5) 3 🇹🇳
A 6-goal thriller at Cairo Stadium sees Tunisia advance to the #TotalEnergiesAFCONU20 semi-finals at the expense of Congo 🔥 @Football2Gether pic.twitter.com/WxEJEeAiqG
— #TotalEnergiesAFCONU20 (@CAF_Online) March 3, 2023
A few minutes into extra time, Bassinga scored a hat-trick from a penalty kick, after another video assistance call for a handball in the penalty area (3-2). If the Congolese already thought they were in the semi-final at the 119th minute, the unexpected goal of Tunisian Ali Saoudi will bring a little more suspense to the game. In the end, the Eagles of Carthage won the game on penalties (4-5). They will face the Lion Cubs of Senegal on Monday, March 6.
