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Momodou
Denmark
11640 Posts |
 Posted - 15 Jan 2011 : 20:47:13
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From CAF online
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Cote D’Ivoire, Congo through to semis
01-15-2011
Two first half goals from Diarrasouba Drissa and Kouassi Evrard set the tone for a decisive Ivorian victory as the Young Elephants trounced defending champions Gambia 4-1 to cruise to the semi-finals of the 9th CAF African Youth Championships.
In the other clash of the final round of games in Group B at the Umuganda Stadium in Gisenyi, the Congolese concluded an impressive group run by stunning Mali 2-1 to complete the semi-final line-up and the quartet of Africa’s representatives for the FIFA U17 World.
Mexico will host the U17 FIFA World in June 2011.
The Young Elephants and Baby Scorpions battle at the Kigali Regional Stadium did not fail to live up to pre-match ‘explosive’ predictions. But it was the Young Elephants who struck first, Drissa firing home on 12minutes to give the Ivoirians a deserved lead. Despite the early set-back, the Scorpions remained steadfast and retained hope as they took on the young elephants punch for punch in an entertaining affair full of flair and skill.
A potentially deflating blow was delivered to the Scorpions by Kouassi’s simple tap-in a minute before Angolan referee Martins Helder sent the two teams to the break with the defending champions trailing 0-2.
The two-goals proved too much as the Congolese failed to muster any of their powerful venom and allowed the Ivoirians to stretch their lead right after the hour mark. Lago Lionel finished off a fine attack movement to put the game almost beyond the Scorpions. Towering defender Sabally Adama pulled one for Congo but he soon turned villain as another wave of Ivorian pressure forced Adama to use his hand in a deperate attempt to keep the ball out of the net. It earned him a straight red, an early shower and gifted Bedi Guy Stephane a penalty opportunity for Cote D’Ivoire to restore their three goal cushion. Guy Stephane duly converted to confirm the Young Elephants passage to the semi finals where they meet hosts Rwanda.
At the Umuganda Stadium, Congo beat Mali 2-1 to qualify as runners-up.
The first semi-final is Tuesday 18 January at the Amahoro Stadium between Group A winners Burkina Faso and the Congo. On Wednesday, the hosts Rwanda who finished second in Group A play the winners of Group B, Cote D’Ivoire also at the Amahoro.
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