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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Debutant Somalia set to battle host Algeria in the TotalEnergies Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday at the newly built Nelson Mandela Stadium.

The Horn of Africa nation qualified for a continental championship for the first time in its history after their triumph in the CECAFA regional qualifiers, where they beat South Sudan 3-1 in the final.

Hoping to shine in youth continental football for the first time but will face stiff opposition in Group A – matches against the likes of hosts Algeria, Senegal and Congo.

Algeria head coach Rezki Remmane acknowledged that progressing from the group will not be easy for his side.

“We are paired with great nations that are regular in big competitions. I believe all groups are equal. To us, there are no easy or tough opponents. Senegal will certainly give us a tough time, but we will work to qualify for the World Cup, and why not go all the way at home.”

Algeria’sprevious participation at U17 AFCON

This will be their second appearance at the U17 Cup of Nations. Their only other experience was in 2009 when they hosted the competition.

They reached the final but lost 3-1 to the Gambia. They had qualified for the 2021 showpiece staged in Morocco but later cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Match schedule (All matches at 8 pm local time)

• April 29 – Algeria vs Somalia, Nelson Mandela Stadium
• May 2 – Congo vs Somalia, Nelson Mandela Stadium
• May 5 – Somalia vs Senegal, Mohamed Hamlaoui Stadium, Constantine

Liiska xiddigaha Xulka Soomaaliya ee 17-jirada uga qeybgalaya koobka AFCON U17 ee dhawaan ka bilaaban doona Algeria.

22-kaan ciyaartoy ayuu xusheen macalin Nuur Maxamed Amiin & shaqaalahiisa tababarka. pic.twitter.com/PwfAruWHqy

— Somalia National Football Team (SFF) #OceanStars (@NationalSomalia) April 24, 2023

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Ivorian side ASEC Mimosas played to a barren draw against Tunisia’s US Monastir in the first leg of their TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup at the Stade Olympique de Radèson Sunday, CAF reports.

The result means they will be hoping to take advantage at home when the sides clash in the return fixture next weekend.

Visitors Asec had the best opportunities on the balance of chances in the first half, but they were denied by a combination of good goalkeeping from Sadok Yedes and a lack of composure in the final third.

Agbalegah Zuma had a brilliant diving header saved by the keeper before Esis Flugence had another effort saved at the near post by the keeper.

Pacome Zouzoua then lined up on the list of chances with a brilliant shot from a distance which keeper Yedes did brilliantly to pluck away.

Heykeul Chikhaoui had the best chance for the home side when he lined up a shot from inside the box, but it was blocked Ahmed Jafeli should have done better with a second-half chance, but he took too many touches inside the box, allowing the defenders to race back and block his final effort.

It is everyone’s game heading into next weekend’s return tie, with the game evenly poised at 0-0.

Below are the fully listed first-leg results of the CAF Confederation quarter-finals 

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Egyptian giants Al Ahly kept their chase for a record-extending 11th title alive with a 2-0 victory over Raja Club Athletic in the first leg of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League quarter-final on Saturday night, CAF reports.

Mohamed Abdelmonem and Hamdi Fathi were on target in either half in Cairo to give their side an early advantage heading into next weekend’s return fixture in Casablanca.

Abdelmonem broke the deadlock at the stroke of halftime, towering above his marker to thump home a header from an Ali Maaloul cross from the left.

The home side was rewarded for their industry in the opening half, having commanded 60pc of the possession.

But Raja had two close chances to score, which would have changed the face of the game. Mohamed Nahiri had a stinging free-kick from distance brilliantly saved by Mohamed Elshenawy early on.

The Ahly keeper was called into action again when Walid Sabbar released Mohamed Zrida through on goal, but the custodian made another brilliant save to keep his side in the game.

On the other end, Ahly had a goal disallowed when Kahraba deflected a cross into the net, but it was ruled out for offside.

In the second half, Ahly looked to consolidate their lead and they did so six minutes from time when Fathi was picked out by a brilliant lofted ball from Percy Tau and he made no mistake with a brilliant volley.

Below are full TotalEnergies CAF Champions League quarter-finals first leg results.

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