- Cameroon lost their final match of the group to Burkina Faso
- They finished bottom of Group C
- South Africa sneaked through as one of two best third placed teams
The Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations will have a new champion after holders Cameroon were eliminated following their loss in their final group stage match to Burkina Faso.
Cameroon finished bottom of the Group with no points after back to back losses, and their defeat was a blessing to South Africa who squeezed in to the quarter finals by the slimmest of margins as the second best third -placed team.
South Sudan’s elimination before the tournament started complicated matters in the group which remained with three teams.
Cameroon lost both their matches, with Burkina Faso finishing second.
The Burkinabe scored two goals within two minutes to come from a goal down and turn the tie into their favour.
Cameroon had gone ahead through Dorinel Yondjo, but a pair of identical goals from Souleymane Alio, separated by two minutes and nine seconds, made the difference for Burkina Faso.
Cameroon first to score
Yondjo had broken the deadlock in the 61st minute when he picked a brilliant through ball from Essono Dipanda. He did well to dribble past the keeper before slamming into an empty net.
But, Burkina Faso responded when they upped the tempo in attack and Alio ran through to an Ousmane Camara through ball before sliding it past the keeper.
Two minutes later, he ran on to another brilliant line breaking through pass before shooting low past the custodian to complete the turnaround for the West Africans.
For the quarter finals, the biggest fixture will be in Constantine on Wednesday, when hosts Algeria take on Morocco in what is anticipated to be a closely contested North African derby.
Algeria finished second in Group A while Morocco topped Group B, which was based in Constantine.
The first of the four quarter final fixtures will however be at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers, where Senegal who topped Group A with a 100pc record will take on South Africa who were one of the best two third placed teams.
Annaba to host third quarter final
On Thursday, Annaba will play host to the third quarter final where two-time champions Mali continue their hunt for a third title, when they take on Congo, the other of the best two third placed teams.
Mali had a perfect record in Group C where they topped with a maximum two wins.
In Algiers, the last quarter final duel features Group B runners up Nigeria against their fellow second placed finishers from Group C, Burkina Faso.
Quarter Final fixtures
May 10
Senegal vs South Africa – Nelson Mandela Stadium, Algiers, 17h00 local time
Morocco vs Algeria – Mohamed Hamlaoui Stadium, Constantine, 20h000 local time
May 11
Mali vs Congo – 19 May 1956 Stadium, Annaba, 17h00 local time
Nigeria vs Burkina Faso – Nelson Mandela Stadium, Algiers, 20h00 local time
Semi Finals – 14 May, 2023
QF1 winner vs QF4 winner – Mohamed Hamlaoui Stadium, Constantine, 17h000 local time
QF1 winner vs QF3 winner – 19 May 1956 Stadium, Annaba, 20h00 local time
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