Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa Among Nations to Qualify for U17 Africa Cup of Nations
The qualifiers for the 2015 U17 Africa Cup of Nations, set to take place in Niger, have officially concluded following a dramatic weekend of second-leg fixtures. A total of seven teams—Nigeria, Guinea, South Africa, Ghana, Mali, Zambia, and Côte d’Ivoire—have secured their spots in the prestigious youth tournament.
Rampant Nigeria Cruise Past Gabon
Nigeria, the reigning U17 world champions, delivered the most emphatic result of the round, thrashing Gabon 5-0 in Calabar to seal a 6-2 aggregate victory. Kelechi Nwakali opened the scoring from the penalty spot, while Osinachi Ebere netted twice, and Kehinde Ayinde added his name to the scoresheet, ensuring a dominant performance from the Golden Eaglets.
Guinea Humble Togo Away
Guinea produced one of the most comprehensive away displays of the qualifiers, dispatching Togo 3-0 in Lomé to complete a 4-0 aggregate win. Goals from Jules Keita, Morlaye Sylla, and Lansana Touré silenced the home crowd and sent the Syli Cadets through in style.
Ghana Edge Past Spirited Cameroon
In one of the most thrilling ties, Ghana edged Cameroon 4-3 in a goal-laden encounter, backing up their narrow 2-1 first-leg win in Yaoundé. The Black Starlets, while dominant in attack, had to remain vigilant as the Cameroonians fought hard until the final whistle.
Ivory Coast Secure Comfortable Progress
Côte d’Ivoire comfortably dispatched Angola 3-0 in their home leg, confirming a 4-1 aggregate win. Baba Traoré scored a brace, while Jonas Nguessan added a third as the Ivorians advanced with confidence.
Zambia Triumphs in Kampala
Zambia overcame challenging away conditions to secure a 2-1 victory over Uganda in Kampala, with Patson Daka scoring twice. The win followed a 2-0 first-leg success, handing the Chipolopolo juniors a convincing 4-1 aggregate result.
Mali Repeat the Dose in Tunisia
Mali once again underlined their credentials with a second consecutive win over Tunisia, this time a 3-1 victory in Tunis. Aboubacar Traoré netted twice, and Sidiki Maiga added a third, building on their 2-0 first-leg triumph in Bamako for a 5-1 aggregate win.
South Africa Eliminate Egypt on Aggregate
South Africa completed the list of qualified nations, narrowly edging Egypt over two legs. After winning 2-1 at home, the Amajimbos held the young Pharaohs to a 2-2 draw in Cairo, progressing 4-3 on aggregate despite a spirited fightback from the hosts.
Full Aggregate Results:
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Nigeria 6–2 Gabon
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Guinea 4–0 Togo
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Ghana 6–4 Cameroon
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Ivory Coast 4–1 Angola
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Zambia 4–1 Uganda
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Mali 5–1 Tunisia
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South Africa 4–3 Egypt
The qualified teams will now look ahead to the 2015 U17 Africa Cup of Nations in Niger, where a place at the FIFA U17 World Cup will be up for grabs.
