U23 AFCON qualifiers: Mali overturn Senegal, Cameroon and Algeria out
U23 AFCON: seven of the eight qualifiers are now known. Mali, Ghana and Guinea will be there. Senegal, Algeria and Cameroon are out.
Sport News Africa · Author profile ·
Listen to this story
Audio version in preparation · read aloud by your browser meanwhile
Senegal's heavy fall against Mali
Winners in the first leg in Dakar (3-1), the Lionceaux were beaten heavily in Bamako by a determined Mali side (3-0). The Senegalese held out until half-time (0-0) but collapsed after the break. Hamidou Diallo opened the scoring in the 63rd minute before Kamory Doumbia doubled the lead 4 minutes later (67th). Mamadou Sangaré sealed Senegal's fate in the 73rd minute. The result sends the Aiglons through to Morocco. After finishing fourth in the first two editions of this U23 AFCON (2011 and 2015), Senegal have now missed out on the next two.
Gabon knock out Cameroon
Tuesday 28 March was a really bad day for Cameroon. Beaten by Namibia (2-1) with the senior side in 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying, the Indomitable Lions were also eliminated by Gabon at U23 level. Having lost the first leg (1-0), they had got back into the tie thanks to a goal from Étienne Eto’o (1-0). But they lost the decisive penalty shoot-out (6-7). "It's not a question of criticising the coach and the staff, that's too easy. We are the ones on the pitch, it's up to us to give everything. It's not a question of having a go at the coach now. They are doing their job, it's up to us to be better, to give everything on the pitch" said the day's scorer, Etienne Eto’o, after the match. His comments were relayed by the website Allez Les Lions.
U23 AFCON: Cameroon eliminated!#Éliminatoires_CAN_U23 #Lions_Indomptables_U23https://t.co/hk23km6sUn
— Actu Cameroun (@actucameroun) March 28, 2023
Algeria powerless against Ghana
After a draw in the first leg (1-1), Algeria lost away to Ghana (1-0) and will not go to Morocco, let alone the 2024 Olympics. Sporting Lisbon midfielder Issahaku Fatawu scored the only goal of the game in the 12th minute. The Fennecs could not pull one back. It will therefore be the Black Stars who will be in the Sherifian Kingdom for this 4th edition of the U23 AFCON.
Read more on the same subject: U23 AFCON: all results and fixtures for the 3rd round
Guinea in control against Nigeria
The Flying Eagles were outclassed by the Guineans over the two legs of this U23 AFCON qualifier for Morocco. A goalless first leg (0-0) was followed by the job being finished at home (2-0). Guinea never looked in trouble. Algassime Bah, the Olympiakos forward, broke the deadlock just after the hour mark before Alseny Soumah settled the tie in the 75th. The 2-0 win sends the Syli Nationale to Morocco for the next U23 Africa Cup of Nations.
FULL-TIME
It is full-time at the Prince Moulay El Hassan stadium in Rabat. Guinea win (2-0) against Nigeria thanks to goals from Algassime Bah and Alseny Soumah.
The U23 Syli are qualified for the next AFCON in their age category, to be held in Morocco. #GUINIG | #FGF |… pic.twitter.com/5D6XqQQzR0
— Guinean Football Federation (@fgfofficiel) March 28, 2023
Qualified for the next U23 AFCON: Morocco (hosts), Egypt, Guinea, Mali, Gabon, Ghana, Congo and Niger or Sudan.