U-20 AFCON : Cameroon edge closer

Cameroon beat Libya 3-0 on Sunday in Bafoussam to edge closer to a place at the final tournament of U-20 AFCON Zambia 2017.

Felix Chenkam and Martin Hongla scored in the first half before Preston Tabortetaka added the third on 53 minutes as ‘Les Lionceaux’ shot into a commanding lead ahead of the return leg in a fortnight.

Reigning champions, Nigeria posited a 2-1 win over Sudan in Omdurman to move a step further towards making a defence of their title in Zambia next year. The host went up after 27 minutes through Anas Adam before second half strikes from Samuel Chukwueze and Victor Osimhen handed the Flying Eagles victory.

Elsewhere, South Africa also edged closer thanks to a 2-0 win over Lesotho away in Maseru. Liam Jonathan scored the opener after six minutes before Kamohelo Sithole doubled the lead ten minutes from time.

In Cairo, Egypt managed a lone goal victory over Angola with Mostafa Mohamed’s separating the two sides.

Senegal took a bold step towards thanks to a 3-1 win over Ghana on Saturday at the Demba Diop Stadium, Dakar.

‘Les Lionceaux’ thus takes a commanding lead into the second leg in a fortnight in Ghana, where the ticket for the finals will be decided. It leaves the Black Satellites, Africa and World champions seven years ago, in danger of missing out on the continental championship for the first time since 2009.

Ibrahima Niane was the hero for the Senegalese netting a hat-trick which takes his side to the brink of a ticket to Zambia.

Generation Foot forward, Niane scored the opener on 11 minutes from a well-taken free-kick that Ghana goalie Kwame Baah had no answers to.

The Satellites replied on 22 minutes courtesy Jonah Osabutey from a Kingsley Fobi assist before dead ball specialist Niane restored his side’s lead three minutes later.

Upon resumption, substitute Aliou Badji squared Niane to complete his hat-trick on 59 minutes and take the game beyond the visiting Ghanaians.

Elsewhere in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso were held to a barren draw by Mali just as visiting Guinea and Gambia played out a 0-0 draw in Bakau, near Banjul.

Seven teams will emerge from the qualifiers to join host Zambia for the final tournament of the 20th edition of U-20 Africa Cup of Nations scheduled for 26 February to 12 March 2017.

Results

Saturday, 9 July 2016

Senegal 3-1 Ghana

Gambia 0-0 Guinea

Burkina Faso 0-0 Mali

Sunday, 10 July 2016

Sudan 1-2 Nigeria

Lesotho 0-2 South Africa

Egypt 1-0 Angola

Cameroon 3-0 Libya