- Senegal and Nigeria both won 1-0
- Morocco beat South Africa 2-0
- The tournament is being staged in Algeria
Senegal, Nigeria and Morocco both picked up victories as the Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations got into match day two in Algeria.
Senegal, who are looking to sweep all continental trophies having already won four began with a 1-0 win over Congo in a hard fought duel in Algiers.
Defender Serigne Fallou Diouf volleyed home 12 minutes to time for the winning goal for the Senegalese.
While the defender scored the winner, the goalkeeper, who goes by the same name Serigne Diouf, made an equally important contribution to the game, saving a first half penalty.
The keeper saved Alexandre Boukoulou’s 22nd minute penalty, making amends after he had needlessly brought down Ayel Wumba Niati under no pressure as he chased to shield the ball to go out of play.
In the second half, the Senegalese continued pressing for the opener and they came close in the 68th minute but skipper Amara Diouf saw his looping header come off the bar.
Senegal score important goal
Their efforts finally bore fruit 12 minutes to time when Fallou Diouf volleyed the ball home from inside the box after substitute Papa Alioune Ndiaye had done well to win the ball ahead of the keeper.
Elsewhere in Constantine, Favour Daniel’s goal in the second half handed Nigeria a positive start, after seeing off Zambia 1-0 at the Mohamed Hamloui Stadium in Constantine on Sunday.
Despite a late penalty miss by Light Eke, the Golden Eaglets managed to see off the slim advantage to move top of Group B after their opening match.
It was a well fought contest from both sides, but on the balance of chances, Nigeria could have had more from the evening kick off.
Six minutes to the break, the Nigerians had a glorious chance when Hope Linus sent skipper Precious Samwel through on goal with a brilliant through ball, but the Zambian keeper’s trailing leg deflected the ball against the upright.
Three minutes on the turn Zambia were also denied by the woodwork, this time Emmanuel Mwanza’s curling effort coming off against the crossbar.
In the second half, Zambia were better off and commanded more of the possession, but couldn’t score.
They conceded when Daniel was left isolated inside the box after the ball was recycled in from a cleared corner, and the forward made no mistake beating the keeper.
Zambia’s next match will be a COSAFA derby against South Africa while Nigeria take on Morocco, both games set for next Wednesday.
South Africa beaten by Morocco
South Africa lost 2-0 to Morocco in the other group match.
Second half goals from skipper Abdelhamid Ait Bouldal and substitute Adam Hanin saw Morocco beat South Africa .
The Young Bafana Bafana would feel undone by the result having conceded from a penalty and the second after the keeper clashed with his own defender as he went for a cross.
In the second half, Morocco tidied up their act and were more organized. They got ahead in the 72nd minute when Bouldal converted a cool penalty after his opposite number Benjamin Wallis handled a cross from Abdel Hamid Maali.
The goal gave them much of the confidence they needed and they were 2-0 up with three minutes of regulation time left when Hanin shot into an empty net after the South Africa keeper collided with his defender as he went up to collect a cross.
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