AYC : Guinea Qualify for World Cup, Zambia Eliminate Egypt

Guinea came back twice to defeat Mali 3 – 2 to become the second team to reach the semi-finals of the 2017 Total U20 Africa of Nations and in the process joined hosts Zambia in qualifying for the 2017 FIFA U20 World Cup to be held in Korea Republic from May 20 to June 11.

Sekou Koita gave Mali an early lead as he found the back of the net in the 3rd minute a lead which lasted until the 49th minute when half time substitute Morlaye Sylla converted a penalty for the equalizer. Four minutes later Mali restored their lead through Moussa Diakite who also scored from the penalty spot but Guinea equalized almost immediately through Sylla. Mohamed Aly Camara completed the comeback on 72 minutes when he nodded home following a corner. The result meant that Guinea moved into second position with 4 points, supplanting Egypt who lost 3-1 to Zambia at the National Heroes Stadium.

Skipper Karim Hassan had put Egypt in front when he netted in the 36th minute to put his team on course for a semi-final place but Patson Daka equalized four minutes after the break and Fashion Sakala added a second in the 70th minute before Daka grabbed his brace at the death for Zambia to finish the group stage on 9 points. The results in Group B mean that Zambia will play their semi-final match against the team which will finish second in Group B at the National Heroes Stadium while Guinea will await the top team from Group A at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.
Group B which contains Senegal (4 points), South Africa (3 points), Cameroon (3 points) and Sudan (1 point) will be decided on Sunday, March 5 with South Africa match up with Sudan at the National Heroes Stadium and, Senegal and Cameroon facing each other at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.

Photo Credit : Faz