If Senegal has validated its qualification for the quarterfinals of the U17 AFCON after only two days in the group stage, the last round will be decisive for Algeria, Congo and Somalia. The three nations will fight for the remaining place, directly qualifying.
Two wins, four goals scored, none conceded and a qualification for the quarterfinals already in the pocket: all the lights are green for Senegal. After a half-hearted preparation, Serigne Saliou Dia's colts probably didn't imagine such a debut in this edition of the CAN U17. And yet, after their victory over Congo (1-0) in the first day of Group A, the Cubs followed up with another success, this time against Algeria (3-0). In a balanced game during the first half-hour, the Senegalese took the ascendancy as the minutes passed. We had to wait for the extra time of the first half and a winning header of Amara Diouf on a free kick (45th+4) to see the opening of the score.
The Génération Foot student was the first to score after the second half after a penalty caused by the Algerian goalkeeper, Mathias Hammache, in front of Omar Sall. The captain of the Cubs was not slow to offer a double (62nd). Faced with an Algerian team that was determined to win, the outcome of the game was then known. But the bill was getting heavier for the Algerians when Mamadou Sawane, who entered the game, also scored (86th). With this success, Senegal takes the lead in the group and validates its qualification for the quarterfinals of the U17 AFCON. On its side, with three points on the counter, Algeria will have to get its qualification in the last game against Somalia.
• A huge victory for Senegal against the hosts 🦁
• A historic point for Somalia against Congo 🤝
Tuesday’s #TotalEnergiesAFCONU17 results 🔢 pic.twitter.com/XlHd2IBBSt
— #TotalEnergiesAFCONU17 2023 🏆 (@CAF_Online) May 2, 2023
Somalia holds on to Congo
A game cutter because the Somalis are still in the race, thanks to their draw against Congo (1-1). The Somalis even gave the Congolese a hard time as they thought they could launch their competition with a first win. They thought for a while they could snatch the three points of the victory after the opening goal, shortly after the half hour of play thanks to Dini Mohamed Dahir (32nd). Taking advantage of the Congolese defense's laxity, the striker scored what was the very first goal of his country in the history of the U17 AFCON.
But Ayel Wumba Niati Nzouzi put his team back in the game, after taking advantage of a misunderstanding between a defender and the Somali keeper (58th). The Congolese tried to make the end of the game to force the decision, in vain. With this result, Congo and Somalia occupy the third place in Group A with 1 point and remain in the race for a qualification to the quarterfinals. On the last day, there will be a real three-way duel. On the one hand, Somalia will face Senegal (6 points and already qualified), while the Congo will face Algeria (3 points), host country that does not want to see its adventure already stop.
