U17 African Cup of Nations Qualifiers: Benin, Cameroon, Uganda Gain Early Advantage
The first leg of the second round qualifiers for the 2015 U17 African Cup of Nations in Niger got underway on Friday, delivering a mix of tight contests and commanding victories across the continent.
Among the standout results, Benin edged Mali 1-0 in a repeat of the President’s Cup final held in Lomé last April. The match-winning goal was scored by Aaron Ibilola, who also found the net in that previous encounter, maintaining his reputation as a key player for the Cadet Squirrels.
Cameroon continued their strong qualifying campaign with a confident 2-0 home victory over Burkina Faso. Goals from Nguene II and Djoubairou gave the Indomitable Lions of youth a comfortable cushion ahead of the second leg.
Uganda’s U17 side, known as the Junior Cranes, delivered a commanding performance in their 4-0 triumph against Rwanda. Shaban, Obuya, Poloto, and Mukalazi all contributed to the scoreline, putting Uganda in an excellent position to advance to the third round.
Meanwhile, Tanzania and South Africa played out a goalless draw in Dar es Salaam, leaving the tie finely balanced as both teams prepare for the return leg.
Mozambique also picked up a crucial 2-1 win at home against Angola, ensuring they hold the advantage before their away fixture.
The second legs of these ties are scheduled for two weeks from now, with teams hoping to consolidate or overturn these first-leg results.
Today’s fixtures feature several intriguing matchups, including Senegal hosting Togo in Lomé, Botswana welcoming Zambia, and Gabon facing Ethiopia. The eagerly anticipated clash between DR Congo and Nigeria has been postponed until July 27, owing to ongoing confusion surrounding a FIFA sanction.
Additionally, Ghana and Tunisia have already qualified for the tournament following the withdrawals of South Sudan and Sierra Leone, respectively.
Match Results from Friday
Benin 1–0 Mali
Cameroon 2–0 Burkina Faso
Uganda 4–0 Rwanda
Tanzania 0–0 South Africa
Mozambique 2–1 Angola
Upcoming Matches Today
Ethiopia vs Gabon
Togo vs Senegal
Guinea vs Morocco
Libya vs Ivory Coast
Zambia vs Botswana
Egypt vs Congo
With the qualification process heating up, teams are focusing on tactical discipline and squad depth as they strive to secure their place at the prestigious U17 African Cup of Nations, which offers a vital platform for Africa’s emerging football talents.
