By: Bubacarr Fallaboweh
Mali eliminated Senegal, despite having the advantage after the first leg. The Malians defeated Senegal 4-3 to win on aggregate. Goals came from Hamidou Diallo, Kamory Doumbia, and Mamadou Sangare. Unfortunately, this means the African powerhouse will miss Morocco’s showpiece.
Journalist Ousman told the Alkamba Times Senegal has lost as a generation of footballers may be unable to realize their dreams.
“The U23 is a good generation that we lose. Hadn’t they qualified, it would have been a great thing. These were the players to replace Sadio Manneh and Gana Gaye. But, unfortunately, we didn’t prepare it as much as we wished. Mali even had to bring in players from the senior national team, almost six players. It was a decisive match for the young Eagles,” he stressed.
2015 champions Nigeria suffered a 2-0 defeat against Guinea Conakry following a goalless draw in Lagos. South Africa & Cameroon also had a similar fate as the young Eagles missed out twice.
South Africa missed the AFCON, and the recent elimination is highly underwhelming.
Salisu Yusuf failed to qualify Nigeria for CHAN, U23 AFCON, and the Olympics.
Niger and Congo will be making their debuts, while Morroco, who were not at the U20, and CHAN are back in the fold as host nations.
This takes North Africa’s representatives to two, including defending champions Egypt. Les Menas finished fourth in the CHAN, having previously appeared in 2011 and 2020.
Fatawu Issahaku scored a knockout in Algeria before scoring the lone goal in the reverse fixture at the Baba Yara stadium to help Ghana qualify on a 2-1 aggregate.
The tournament will run from June 24 to July 08, 2023. The top three nations at the U23 AFCON final tournament will also be guaranteed a place in the Summer Olympics in Paris, France.
