Several friendly matches were played this Friday, March 22. All the African heavyweights playing were victorious: Senegal, Morocco, Algeria and Egypt. Only Ghana lost to Nigeria. Below are the day's results.
Nigeria dominate Ghana
It was Nigeria's first match after their AFCON final loss to Côte d'Ivoire, with interim coach George Finidi at the helm. It was also the first game back for Ghana, prematurely eliminated in the group phase of the AFCON, who handed over the reins to Otto Ado. The friendly match between the two countries, under the banner of renewal, went in the Super Eagles' favor. They beat the Black Stars (2-1). Cyriel Dessers opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 38th minute. To make matters worse for Ghana, their central defender Jérôme Opoku was sent off in the 56th minute. Ademola Lookman then brought the score to 2-0. At the end of the match at (90+5) reduced the score. The match was played in Marrakech.
Morocco beat Angola with difficulty
Morocco dominated Angola (1-0). The winning goal came relatively late, in the 74th minute by Carmo with an own goal
Senegal outclass Gabon
Senegal outclassed Gabon 3-0 in a friendly match in Amiens. First Aaron Appidangoyé scored an own goal in the 12th minute. Mikayil Ngor Faye, making his first appearance for the Lions, then brought the score to 2-0 with a superb goal in the 44th minute. Sadio Mané rounded off the scoring in the 92nd minute, in a second half in which Senegal had a lot to lose.
Egypt dominate New Zealand
Egypt qualified for the Winsunited Cup final on home soil. They beat New Zealand 1-0. Mostafa Mohamed scored the winner in the 28th minute. They will meet the winner of the Tunisia-Croatia match in the final, to be held this Saturday, March 23.
Algeria beat Bolivia
Algeria came from behind to beat Bolivia 3-2. Amine Gouiri opened the scoring in the 43rd minute. Bolivia equalized in the 47th minute through C. Algaranaz, before J. Sagredo gave the South Americans the lead in the 70th minute. Yassine Benzia restored Algeria's lead in the 79th minute. The Fennecs managed to regain the lead thanks to a 2nd goal from Gouiri at the end of the match (94th) to give Vladimir Pektovic a victory, his 1st match in charge of the national team.
Mauritania lose to Mauritania
Mali also won against Mautitanie (2-0). The goals came from Modibo Sagna (9th) and El-Bila Touré (12th).
Togo topple Niger
Togo beat Niger (2-1). It was Niger who scored first in the 55th minute. Togo equalized in the 66th minute and took the lead in the 65th minute.
Equatorial Guinea-Cambodia
Equatorial Guinea, without suspended stars Edu Salvador and Emilion Nsue, beat Cambodia 2-0. Joanet Lopez scored the first goal in the 10th minute. The second came from Basilio Socoliche (36th).
No winner between Botswana and Rwanda
In a friendly match held on Friday March 22, Botswana and Rwanda ended back-to-back. The score was 0-0. The match was held in Antatanarivo, Madagascar, at the Kianja Barea Mahamasina stadium.
Madagascar wins against Burundi
Earlier in the day, Madagascar outclassed Burundi again in a friendly match with a score of (1-0). The goal was scored by Tendry Manovo Mataniah in the 17th minute. The match was held in the same stadium as the Botswana-Rwanda encounter.
Comoros beat Uganda (4-0)
In a lively match in Châteauroux, the French U-21 team beat Côte d'Ivoire 3-2.France opened the scoring through Désiré Doué (38th). After the break, Côte d'Ivoire woke up. First Abdoulaye Traoré (47th) and then Mohamed Bamba (49th) scored two goals in the space of two minutes.France, though dominated, equalized through Odobert (72nd).They then took the lead and never relinquished it thanks to another goal from Désiré Doué (84th).
Olympic play-off preparations: Guinean U23s lose heavily to USA
Guinea's U23 soccer team, who must play a play-off match against an Asian country to qualify for the Paris Olympics, faced the USA U23s in Spain.The Syli lost heavily (3-0).However, the Guineans will have the opportunity to put things right. The team plays Jamaica on March 26.
