Africa: AYC – Cameroon, Mali Qualify for Fifa U-20 World Cup

Daily Independent (Lagos)

21 April 2011

Cameroon has joined Mali as the two African countries to have qualified for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia this July.

Cameroon picked one of the group B tickets on Thursday with its 1-0 defeat of Nigeria in their second round match to top the group with six points.

Cameroon had won its opening game with a lone goal victory over Gambia. Franck Ohandza scored the only goal of the game against Nigeria on the stroke of half-time in Johannesburg.

The Baby Lions dominated the game but the Flying Eagles fluffed some good scoring opportunities in the Group B game.

Meanwhile, title holders Ghana was held to a 1-1 draw by Gambia in Group B’s other game on Thursday.

Baboucarr Jammeh put Gambia in the lead on 22 minutes but Black Satellites drew level late in the game when Richmond Boakye Yiadom headed in Masahudu Alhassan’s cross from the left.

Ghana must win their game against Cameroon and hope the other result goes their way to reach the semi final of the tournament.

Nigeria must beat Gambia in their last group game on Sunday to be assured of a place in the last four.

Mali became the first African country to qualify for the World Cup after defeating Egypt 1-0 on Wednesday to top group A with six points and the AYC semi-finals.

AllAfrica – All the Time