Tunisia lead Africa’s four finalists at FIFA U15 World Cup and Festival

Tunisia, Zambia, Central African Republic and Ethiopia will represent Africa in four division finals at the FIFA U15 World Cup and Festival in Azerbaijan on Friday.

The four nations secured their places in the final matches of their respective divisions on Thursday in Baku. Senegal narrowly missed out, while Morocco recovered in the Division A classification matches and Algeria suffered another defeat.

No African team can now win the overall world title, which is contested in Division A, but the continent still has four opportunities to claim an honour in the tournament’s other divisions. Friday’s finals will be held at Crystal Hall.

Tunisia have been one of the standout sides in Division C. After a 5-0 victory over Thailand, the young Carthage Eagles produced a major result by beating France 5-3 in the quarter-finals.

They continued that impressive run with a 3-0 semi-final win over Luxembourg. Tunisia will now face Belarus in the Division C final, with a trophy within reach after a series of convincing performances.

Zambia will contest the Division B final against Portugal after edging out Senegal 4-3 in a thrilling all-African semi-final.

Senegal had reached the last four with emphatic victories over Costa Rica, 6-1, and Madagascar, 4-0, but their hopes of reaching the final were ended by Zambia.

Central African Republic also booked a place in a final in Division E, overcoming Chad on penalties. They will meet Bangladesh in the deciding match, giving Africa a third finalist.

Ethiopia completed the continent’s line-up by reaching the Division F final, where they will play New Zealand.

Mixed fortunes for North African sides

Morocco ended a difficult sequence in the Division A classification matches by beating Venezuela 4-3. The result came after consecutive defeats by Paraguay, 1-0, and Mexico, 3-0.

The loss to Paraguay had ended Morocco’s hopes of challenging for the title, while the defeat by Mexico extended their difficult spell despite an impressive opening round. Their victory over Venezuela provided a welcome response for the Atlas Cubs.

Algeria experienced the opposite pattern. Following a heavy 4-1 defeat by Albania, the side managed by Karim Ziani responded with a 2-1 win over Estonia before losing 4-3 to Kenya.

Cameroon suffered another setback, going down to the Republic of Ireland on penalties after a 4-4 draw. Republic of Ireland won the shootout 6-5.

In Division B, Cote d’Ivoire defeated South Africa 4-3 after previously beating South Sudan 2-1. Mali also returned to winning ways with a 5-1 victory over the United Arab Emirates, following a 2-0 defeat by Niger.

In Division D, Democratic Republic of the Congo recorded a 4-1 win over Burundi after losing 4-0 to Somalia.

Friday’s final round will give Tunisia, Zambia, Central African Republic and Ethiopia the chance to finish the tournament as division champions.