Cameroon, Guinea, Burkina Faso and Morocco each won the first leg of their second-round ties in the U23 AFCON qualifiers this week, and three of the four did so away from home.
The results leave all four winners one step from the third and final qualifying round, with the return legs due between 15 and 17 November. Seven teams will join hosts Egypt at the eight-team finals, according to Foot Africa. The competition is run by the Confederation of African Football. This analysis covers matches played on 11 and 12 November, so it is not a breaking report on a single result.
How did Cameroon win in Kigali in the U23 AFCON qualifiers?
Cameroon beat Rwanda 3-0 at the Kigali Pelé Stadium on Wednesday 11 November, with all three goals coming in the second half. The captain, Patrick Edzimbi, scored in the 64th minute from a pass by Mael Fernandez Monyebe, Rattensi Nko added a second in the 87th and Edzimbi completed his brace in stoppage time, Foot Africa reported.
Rwanda hit the post with a header in the 55th minute, and a goal they thought had levelled the match in the 76th was disallowed for a foul on the Cameroon goalkeeper, the same report said. The Cameroonian site Camfoot also reported the 3-0 result, which came under the coach, Guy Armand Feutchine. The return leg is on Tuesday 17 November in Yaoundé.
Why did Burkina Faso and Guinea take narrow leads in the U23 AFCON qualifiers?
Burkina Faso beat Zambia 1-0 at the Stade du 4-Août in Ouagadougou on 11 November. Nouhoun Abdel Junior Koné scored in the first half from a cut-back by Rachid Ayinde, and Zambia created chances but could not equalise, Foot Africa reported. Sources differ on the minute of the goal, with Foot Africa putting it midway through the first half. The return leg is in Lusaka on Sunday 15 November, kicking off at 13:00 GMT, according to CAF’s schedule as cited by Foot Africa.
Guinea won 1-0 away to Botswana in Gaborone. Mohamed Touré scored shortly before half-time, set up by Aboubacar Bachir Bangoura, and Guinea held on for a clean sheet under their coach, Morlaye Cissé, Foot Africa said. The return is on Tuesday 17 November at the Stade du 28 Septembre in Conakry at 16:00 GMT, and Foot Africa said a draw would be enough to take Guinea through.
What did Morocco achieve in the U23 AFCON qualifiers?
Morocco won 1-0 in Dire Dawa on 12 November against Ethiopia, through Younes El Bahraoui, with the return leg in Rabat on 17 November. Our separate report on the Morocco U23 win in Dire Dawa has the detail.
What does the pattern say about the U23 AFCON qualifiers?
Three of the four leaders, Cameroon, Guinea and Morocco, host the return leg after winning away, and Foot Africa said a draw would be enough for Guinea. Burkina Faso’s lead was built at home, so they must travel to Lusaka for the return against Zambia. These are first-leg results only, and none of the four ties is decided.
Winners of the second-round ties go through to the decisive stage in March, Foot Africa said, citing CAF’s qualifying schedule.
FAQ
Which teams won first legs in the U23 AFCON qualifiers?
Cameroon beat Rwanda 3-0, Guinea beat Botswana 1-0, Burkina Faso beat Zambia 1-0 and Morocco beat Ethiopia 1-0, according to Foot Africa and Hespress.
When are the U23 AFCON qualifiers return legs?
Burkina Faso play Zambia on 15 November, and Cameroon, Guinea and Morocco play their return legs on 17 November, according to Foot Africa, CAF’s schedule and Africa Top Sports.
Who hosts the U23 AFCON finals?
Egypt host the eight-team finals, and seven qualifiers will join them, Foot Africa reported.
