U23 AFCON (Q): Senegal and Egypt gain a strong first-leg advantage
U23 AFCON (Q): Senegal and Egypt gain a strong first-leg advantage. They beat Mali and Zambia respectively on Wednesday.
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Fourth in the first two editions, in 2011 and 2015, Senegal missed out on the 2019 tournament, staged in Egypt. For 2023, the Lions are on the right track. They have just beaten Mali in the first leg of the 3rd and final qualifying round at the Diamniadio stadium in Dakar (3-1). It was recent U20 Africa champion Mamadou Lamine Camara who got Senegal off to a flying start. The RS Berkane defensive midfielder opened the scoring with a direct free kick (12th). Ibrahima Dramé doubled the lead in the 23rd minute with a fine cross-shot from the edge of the Mali box.
Mali did pull one back on the hour through Diarra, capitalising on a loss of possession by Amadou Mbengue (60th), but Senegal quickly restored their two-goal cushion. Substitute Abdallah Sima converted a penalty (65th).
Egypt determined to defend their title in Morocco
Egypt also took a step towards qualification for the U23 AFCON, which runs from 2 to 26 November in Morocco. At home, the Pharaohs beat Zambia 2-0 in the first leg. The win took a while to materialise, though. The two sides went into the break without a goal between them.
It was after the restart that Egypt made the difference. Ibrahim Adel opened the scoring in the 73rd minute. With Zambia pushing to get back on level terms, Abdelrahman Atef put the Egyptians in a comfortable position (88th). The Zambians will have 90 minutes this Sunday to overturn the deficit and hope to reach Morocco at the end of the year. It will not be easy against the reigning U23 AFCON champions.
By contrast, there was no winner between Guinea and Nigeria. The two sides parted after 90 minutes without a goal (0-0). The return leg is scheduled for 28 March.