AFCON U17: Morocco through to quarters as South Africa edge Zambia

• Morocco beat Nigeria 1-0
• South Africa edged out Zambia 3-2 in Cosafa derby
• The last round of group matches will be played on Saturday

Morocco became the second team to officially qualify for the quarter finals of the Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations in Algeria after edging out Nigeria 1-0.

Meanwhile, South Africa also raised their Group A hopes after beating Zambia 3-2 in a hitly contested COSAFA derby.

In the early kick off, Abdel Hamid Maali’s first half deflected strike was all Morocco needed to edge out Nigeria. It was one of only three efforts on target by the Moroccans, but it was enough to sail them through.

“It was a really difficult game and getting chances was tough. At the end of the day we are grateful to have qualified,” said Said Chiba, the Moroccan head coach.

Nigeria’s Anthony Ugbade was dejected that his side could not get at least one of their efforts on target to beat the keeper.

“We did everything we could but at the end of the day, it was difficult to break a very resilient and tactically disciplined Moroccan backline. But it is not over for us. We will try to win the last game to remain in the competition,” Ugbade said.

Morocco score after 75 seconds 

Maali struck after only 75 seconds on the clock, a lead that the Atlas Cubs held on to the final whistle to move to six points on top of Group B.

Nigeria did everything right but score, ands they will rue their missed chances as they move to a crucial final group match tie against South Africa.

Abubakar Abdullahi was presented with a glorious chance when his run into the box was picked out by Emmanuel Michael’s cross, but his touch from close range rose over the bar. Michael had a go at goal himself from a freekick, but it rose over the bar.

In the second half, it was the same story with Nigeria doing all the playing and pinning Morocco, but had no goal to show for it. Nigeria threw everything in attack, but couldn’t find the back of the net.

In the late kick off, Michael Dokunmu scored the winner with 14 minutes left as South Africa beat COSAFA rivals Zambia 3-2 to revive their hopes of making the quarter finals.

Zambia had rallied from 2-0 down to tie the game at 2-2 with a brace from Emmanuel Mwanza, but South Africa had the final say in a thrilling tie to clinch their first win in Group B.

South Africa move to three points 

South Africa move to three points and in a good position to battle for one of two available automatic qualification slots. They will face Nigeria, also on three points, in their final match of the group.

Zambia will meanwhile take on already qualified Morocco in a match they must win to stand at least a chance of making it as one of the two best third placed teams.

South Africa, who lost their opening match to Morocco, had a good start and were 2-0 ahead after 31 minutes courtesy of Vicky Mkhawana’s brace.

Zambia halved the deficit right at the stroke of 45 minutes when Mwanza sneaked behind a South African defender to steal the ball.

In the second half, the Zambians started as strong as they had ended the opening 45 and just three minutes in, Mwanza drew them level with a brilliant curling effort from the edge of the box.

But, it was South Africa’s last laugh when Dokonmu fired the winner from inside the box in the 76th minute.