The battle for places at the final tournament of the 20th edition of the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations Zambia 2017 enters the final lap this weekend.
The first leg matches of the third round will be highlighted by the encounter in Omdurman where holders Nigeria play as guest of Sudan.
Almost two decades ago, the Junior Desert Hawks soared past Nigeria’s Flying Eagles via away goals after a 2-2 tie on the back of a 2-1 away loss in Enugu and a 1-0 home win in Khartoum, to qualify for the 1997 edition of the U-20 AFCON in Morocco.
This time round, Sudan’s journey began after opponents at the First Round, Kenya, were disqualified after fielding ineligible players, before booking their place at the ultimate round without kicking a ball following the withdrawal of Malawi.
Though the Sudanese will be coming up against a Nigeria squad dominated by members of the Golden Eaglets ‘Class of 2015’ that conquered the world in Chile last October; head coach Emmanuel Amuneke is not oblivious of the damage their host could do to their aspirations of successfully defending the title in Zambia next year.
“We are aware of what the Sudanese can do and we have equally been reminded about how they stopped Nigeria from qualifying for the final tournament in 1997. They won’t be a push over for us and we are not going to underrate them either.
“We have been preparing hard knowing that they are our last hurdle in achieving our objective of qualifying for the U-20 AFCON in Zambia. We are optimistic going into this first leg game in Omdurman because this is a new Nigerian team with a strong mentality,” Amuneke told CAFonline.com.
Nigeria, the most successful team at this level on the continent with a record seven titles, but Amuneke believes pedigree would count for nothing against the Sudanese, adding his young guns must prove they are equal to the task.
The Flying Eagles have been firing on all cylinders in test matches and recently recorded a morale-boosting 4-3 win over Rio de Janeiro-bound Olympic team and a 8-0 massacre of Oyah Sport, an amateur side before heading for Omdurman.
“This team has not won anything yet and we are not getting carried away despite recent good results in friendly matches. The most important match for us now is the first leg against Sudan in Omdurman. We must get a good result to boost our confidence for the second leg.”
In Dakar, ‘Les Lionceaux’ of Senegal will face Ghana’s Black Satellites in what should be a tight encounter given the pedigrees of both teams as well as their performances so far in the qualifiers.
In another West African derby, Guinea will be away in Banjul to the Young Scorpions of Gambia, who sensationally sent Morocco packing at the previous round.
Familiar foes, Burkina Faso and Mali will trade tackles in tricky duel in Ouagadougou whilst Cameroon host Libya in Bafoussam.
South Africa’s Amajita will be seeking to end the fairy-tale run of Lesotho as they travel to Maseru as guests of the latter with Egypt and Angola sorting things out in Cairo.
Seven teams will emerge from the qualifiers to join host Zambia for the final tournament of the 20th edition of U-20 Africa Cup of Nations scheduled for 26 February to 12 March 2017.
Fixtures
Friday, 8 July 2016
Egypt vs Angola
Saturday, 9 July 2016
Senegal vs Ghana
Gambia vs Guinea
Burkina Faso vs Mali
Sunday, 10 July 2016
Sudan vs Nigeria
Lesotho vs South Africa
Cameroon vs Libya
[CAF]
So those flying Vultures would go through again? I heard Nigeria has a young squad let see some Eg of Past vultures
1. Ernest Chikwudi (Captain The young Vultures in 2011 U 17. He was reportedly seen holding an umbrella and crossing a street with his wife and 3 kids. He was 17 by then
2. Haruna Lukman- The 19 yr old had grey hair on his body and was seen celebrating bare chested in front of Camera in 2009.
3. Isaac Success (my favourite). His painted bald head shone in the flood lights in 2013 u 17 Championship
4. Udoh Kingsley (this face can teriffy native doctors).
I can see you are pained cos NIGERIA took over world football at cadet level long ago and we are still a force to reckon with….. Dont hate us cos we are NIGERIANS… We are just ordained to shine…..Check the map of Africa you will see its like a gun…. In the map locate the position of NIGERIA and see we are at the trigger….. BABA GOD you too much…. CHU wo mame twe
NIGERIA—> Most successful team at U20level….. Winning it in ZAMBIA again wont be a problem…. We are NIGERIANS!!! We dont stress
Nope bruh…Ghana is the most successful team…They r the only African team to win the world cup at U20 level and have been to 3 semi-finals since winning it. Come again?
who has the most U20 AFRICA TROPHIES??????? answer: NIGERIA
lol when you are content with being the village champion..that is Nigeria. At the U20 level(AFCON) Nigeria has won it 7 times..Egypt 4 times & Ghana 3 times and at the U20 level(World cup) Ghana has won it (once) been 2nd in 2 occasions 3rd (once) and 4th (once)….If you are good with stats the math is there for you to judge.
What has a naija got to do with stats that cannot be corrupted ? If the numbers could be changed, then yes, Bodosqi would be glad to comment.
Zambia
Tell them Noni…. Echo it over and over again.
Nigeria will successfully defend the U-20 trophy in Zambia. Coach Amuneke has done a very good job with the U20 lads. Conquered fifa U17 last year with his lads, all promoted to the flying eagles and still gun blazing.
@noni i dont know how you think nigeria is the most successful at under20’s level in africa when you have not won anything major. The last time i checked the Black Stars of Ghana were 1st to win a World Cup title at that level NOT Nigeria so i dont know how your measuring success?. To me Nigeria are only good at u17 world cup as for the u20s which is more competitive and not far off the actuall world cup the Ghana Black Stars out shine nigeria period. You can talk trash to zambia but you are nothing to the black stars who are the Best on the continent when it comes to representing africa hate it or love it
Who has the most U20 AFRICA trophies????? answer is NIGERIA….. As simple as that son
The issue is that Nigeria have been parading men instead of boys at that level. Consequently, after bulldozing the young boys and winning it, their old men are not able to replicate the same performance when they come face to face with the young Europeans and south Americans because they have already exhausted all their energy at the African level and on their wives
so far the men we have been parading are still flourishing all round top league…while your small boys are still playing in China,PSL,and Zpl…Mr man go and read latest news of the following players Musa(Leicester city), iheanacho (mancity),nwakali/,iwobi/akpom(arsenal),moses (westham),ighalo/success (Watford),umar sadiq(Roma),balogun (Mainz), echiejile (Monaco)….jus watch/wait and see the emerging golden generation of super beating Zambia black/blue on that levy or heroes stadium
ghana vs naija on zamfoot. y cant u take the fight to nairaland or that virus infested ghanasoccernet
You & Mumbi created the debacle here. They are here to stay . Next time you will be more sensible & not insult the West Africans with your shallow thinking.
@paradox i hope zambia u20 is practicing while other teams are sweating to qualify since your handed a free pass for hosting the event. Zambia would not qualify for this event if u wernt hosting and trust me there are heavy teams coming your way like Ghana,Nigeria,Senegal etc yes the DREADED WEST.
im looking foward to october 3rd ZAM (1) v (3) NIG; ALG (2) v (1) CAM…november 5th NIG (1) v (0) ALG; CAM (2) v (2)
Qualification now impossible for GHANA’s black midgets as SENEGAL trashed them 3-1….. kikikikikikiki
Ghana is going to beat Senegal 3 nil to qualify I can assure you that Noni
ghana goin out. hahaha
Come West Africa. zambia aint afraid of ya
Qualify to the Mundial. That is the key to stardom of any nation. As for the 419 nation, the less said about them, the better. Corruption is breaking their back. If Buhari straightens them up, they might do well.
NIGERIA VS SUDAN today….. Watch football made in NAIJA and know why we are the best in the world when it comes to cadet tournaments….. GHANA is out and i expect all GHANAIANS here to keep mute and observe 25minutes silence for their black midgets.
Keep on bushiting the game is played on the pitch on on social media. Today football is not names but team work nd mentle strength. Who thought nigeria can fell to qualify to afcon 2017 with all those profesionals south africa managed to hamer teams with big players using PSL players
Nigeria under 30 vs Sudan under 20
@paradox you out of all people should know that you can never write off the black stars of Ghana, one thing we know of ghana is that they never say die amd will fight till the end. Senegal better pray they done play the black stars at baba yarra stadium in kumasi because Ghana never loose there, im.sure you remember what we did to your chipolopo in kumasi hahaha that’s why you people were not at the world cup. Lets not write off Ghana,deep down inside yall know who’s boss. Ghana can slam any team at home even germany france brazil or any top team wont dare play Ghana in Ghana.
Hahahahahahaha….. Where are those loud mouthed ghanians?
Shaa, kevinwoski, chu etc…
Ghana walloped 3-1 by senegal. You wont even make it to the caf competition not to talk of the fifa U20 world cup.
@Paradox… Nigeria U30, a quick one from you. Already rehearsing lines you and other zambians will use to console yourselves next year, cos team flying eagles are winning their 8 titles in your backyard.
Start the age cheat songs now mate, cos you will definitely need it come march 2017.
But ghana re out the pedigree of senegal is not easy to beat them also at this level they re equaly the tonament material
ozuor
wats the final score between naija & sudan????
@shaa. u guys r out. no way u gona overcome that scoreline unless u use underhand methods
HT: Sudan 1 – 0 Nigeria
80 min played.
Sudan 1 – 1 Nigeria
FT:
Sudan 1 – 2 Nigeria
Burkina 0 – 0 Mali
Gambia 0 – 0 Guinea
Senegal 3 – 1 Ghana
Lesotho 0 – 2 S.A.
Cameroon 3 – 0 Libya
Egypt 0 – 0 Angola in progress
Fulltime
Sudan 1-2 Nigeria.
My boys are just too good.
A year ago they conquered the world at the U17 stage in Chile. Got promoted to the Flying eagles and they’ve never looked back. Yet to lose a single game as a team whether friendly or qualifier.
Hard fought victory for the flying eagles. Perfect comeback against a stubborn sudanese side.
Goals from Chukwueze and the ever potent Osimhen. Osimhen remember that name right the record breaker, history writer. The lad that took Chile by storm, he destroyed all fifa u17 record. Highest goalscorer at the fifa U17 world with 10 tantalising.
Watchout for these boy and his colleagues when the reach India at the fifa U20 next year.
Senegal 3-1 Ghana
Gambia 0-0 Guinea
Burkina Faso 0-0 Mali
Lesotho 0-2 South Africa
Cameroon 3-0 Libya
Sudan 1-2 Nigeria
ordinary naija struggles to beat youthful Sudan. hard luck to the young boys
where are my GHANAIAN brothers???? oh sorry i forgot you guys are still observing the three days silence missing out of ZAMBIA 2017…… NAIJA through….. Congrats NIGERIANS
@noni & paradox or should i call you paranoid of the black stars,anyways Everyone can pray for the Black Stars downfall but at the end of the day our performance at world cup level is yet to be replicated by another african team. Come world cup qualifiers Ghana will be there again and you all will have no choice but to watch and support the black stars as you have done in the past and will continue to do so. For the record Ghana will qualify for under 20s afcon dont write off Ghana its not over until its over.
@noni enjoy the u20s in zambia because come world cup yall gonna get fucked up by Algeria and Cameroon, and YOU WILL support Ghana like you have in the past at the tournament mark my words.
if u see that u have bin blocked from zamfoot, remember its that ‘F’ word u used. zamfoot does not entertain swear words
You would have been blocked many years ago since you make the most despicable comments anywhere. You friend MumbI is hiding . Learn from ROK & positive thinking.
Nigeria’s interest is to qualify with old men to donate points at the world cup just like their senior national team who have made it their business to shear points at every world cup. But this time, there will not be any donation in Russia because Algeria will be doing the business for Africa. No useless team will qualify for Russia
Ghana, Dr Congo, Algeria, Morocco and Senegal are representing Africa. Cameroon and Ivory Coast have also sheared enough points just like their Nigerian counterpart. The world is grateful for your generosity
@paradox/paranoid of the black stars. That was a very suttle reply from yourself.i was expecting a bashing in a reply but it seems you have humbled yourself, but instead you want to raise attention to zamfoot that i used a swear word so i can be blocked, please zamfoot dont block me so i can continue to educate people like Paranoid of black stars oh sorry im mean paradox
Educate yourself by using sober words wen educating others.
…. need to make some buck$$ in zambia by setting up some serious english-biased creche to fire up this brain dead fela: wey kind english that?
Nigeria already has a team at this level nd this is a fact but does zambia have? This is a big know therefore we have a huge mountain to climb and which players may be in division one
you r jst too dull boy
u watch football in yr dreams bz u cant see the facts, keep on haaaa haaaa what a dull mind i think even his tv set shows pictures upside down and in slow motion
am I referring to u?
Sensible arguments needed. People with brains are sharing ideas. Get to the root of Zambian problem. Lack of academies. Lack of infrastructure. Find ways of attacking these issues & stop the nonsense of attacking individuals. SHOWS Level OF maturity. Please grow up.
I was in Rwanda this May & saw the seriousness with which they are preparing for their final match against Ghana. THAT Is A nation worth emultinating, not others who play on the websites & expect to get results on the field of play.