Morocco have qualified for this year’s U17 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals as Abdel Hamid Maali’s first-half deflected strike proved pivotal on Wednesday. The North Africans carried the day with a 1-0 win over Nigeria at the Mohamed Hamloui Stadium in Constantine.

Maali’s goal came as early as 75 seconds on the clock as they held on to grab a massive win to move to six points on top of Group B.

Nigeria did everything but failed to capitalise on their chances – The West African will face a crucial final group match tie against South Africa.

Elsewhere, young Bafana Bafana beat their COSAFA rivals 3-2 in Constantine on Wednesday to put their TotalEnergies U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign back on track.

The young Bafana Bafana head coach Duncan Crowie was pleased with his side scoring early goals.

“We scored an early goal which really helped us settle. We also created more, unlike the Morocco game, and I am happy for the goals. The players had courage, and we had good mental strength to perform like that,” said the tactician.

On Saturday, Duncan’s side will battle for a place in the quarter-finals when they face Nigeria U17.

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Congo’s head coach Fabrizio Cesana was left dissatisfied after their 1-1 draw against tournament debutants Somalia in Algiers on Tuesday night. 

Speaking during his post-match interview after their second Group A tie, Cesana lost count of how many times they failed to put opportunities to score in the tie to bed.

“Everyone watched the match, and I could not count the attempts we had in front of the goal. In football, when you don’t convert your chances – you are punished. We played well and created chances, but we just couldn’t score. This is a thing that we need to discuss with the players,” the coach said after the match.”

Despite the draw, Cesana says they will mount a good challenge when they face Algeria in their final group stage match on Friday as they look to clinch the single available automatic ticket to the quarter-finals.

“We failed to get the victory today, but we are still going to strive to qualify. Winning against Somalia was within our reach, but we did not do it. Now we focus on the next match and seek to get three points,” he said.

He says his side will have to be at their best against Algeria, especially after they lost 3-0 against Senegal and will be keen to bounce back.

A victory for Congo against Algeria will hoist them into second place which is coach Cesana’s target.

First-ever goal ✅
First-ever point 🆕

A HISTORIC NIGHT FOR SOMALIA! #TotalEnergiesAFCONU17 pic.twitter.com/0xNT0ZQ5xC

— #TotalEnergiesAFCONU17 2023 🏆 (@CAF_Online) May 2, 2023

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Host Algeria, Senegal, Nigeria and Morocco all recorded opening wins in their TotalEnergies U17 Africa Cup of Nations campaign with victories.

Algeria, as host nation, started brightly after skipper Moslem Anatouf’s brace gave them an opening 2-0 win as they began their U17 Africa Cup of Nations campaign on good footing defeating debutants Somalia 2-0 at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers on Saturday.

Elsewhere in Group A, Senegal’s defender Serigne Fallou Diouf scored 12 minutes as he helped his side to an opening 1-0 victory over Congo.

For the first time in three attempts, Senegal won their opening game of the tournament and moved second in Group A with three points same as leader Algeria who won 2-0 against Somalia.

The other winners were Morocco and Nigeria from Group B. Favour Daniel’s only goal in the second half was enough for Nigeria as they made a positive start defeating Zambia 1-0 at the Mohamed Hamloui Stadium in Constantine on Sunday.

Second-half goals from skipper Abdelhamid Ait Bouldal and substitute Adam Hanin saw Morocco beat South Africa 2-0 at the Mohamed Hamlaoui Stadium in Constantine on Sunday as they started their TotalEnergies U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign with a victory.

With the victory, Morocco has moved top of Group B ahead of Nigeria with a better goal aggregate.

🔢 STANDINGS 🔢

Here’s how groups 🅰️ and 🅱️ stand after Matchday 1️⃣#TotalEnergiesAFCONU17 pic.twitter.com/08nZIrQf7G

— #TotalEnergiesAFCONU17 2023 🏆 (@CAF_Online) April 30, 2023

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