CAIRO— Gambia, Tunisia, Senegal and Nigeria qualified for the semi-finals of the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
The two semi-final matches will be played on Monday.
Senegal takes on Tunisia in the first match at the Suez Canal Authority Stadium in Ismailia.
The other semi-final game will see Gambia clashing with Nigeria at the Cairo International Stadium.
Gambia hammers South Sudan
Adama Bojang scored a hat-trick for Gambia to romp to an emphatic 5-0 victory over South Sudan.
The Young Scorpions also qualified for the U20 World Cup to be played in Indonesia this year thanks to the win that steered them to the last four.
The West Africans were on terrific goal scoring form at the El-Hodoud Stadium in Alexandria with Bojang sealing his hat-trick by the 47th minute.
Defensive duo Moses Jarju and Mahmud Bajo were also on the scoresheet for the two-time bronze medalists.
Gambia started very strong in Alexandria with Salifu Colley, who was named the Man of the Match, coming close inside five minutes.
The Real de Banjul playmaker latched onto Bojang’s side footed ball before firing straight at Godwill Yogusuk Sabio.
The Gambia found the breakthrough on seven minutes through the Steve Biko forward Bojang who fired just inside the area.
Bojang, who came into the U-20 AFCON in terrific goalscoring form for his club, latched onto a long ball from captain Alagie Saine before slotting past Godwill Yogusuk.
Debutants South Sudan was forced to make an early substitution when Safino Lado came in for the injured Mabior Achiek but the substitution did not help matters.
Gambia continued to dominate and create chances against the rattled Bright Stars. Adama Bojang headed Haruna Rasid Njie’s brilliant delivery wide with the goal at his mercy.
The pacey striker came close to doubling his tally midway through the first half but his effort was smoothed by Godwill Yogusuk as he tried to round the keeper.
The Bright Stars forward Abishai flashed a shot over Pa Ebou Dampha’s goal when South Sudan had a rare opportunity behind the Gambian defence.
Fortune FC defender Moses Jarju made it 2-0 with a glancing header from Salifu Colley’s corner to beat Godwill Yogusuk at the far post with 28 minutes on the clock.
Adama Bojang saw his close range effort saved by the busy Godwill Yogusuk before Modou Marong found the back of the net but was flagged offside on the half hour mark.
Bojang swept in a brilliant Gambian attack to make it 3-0 for the Young Scorpions. Cape Town City winger Kajally Drammeh danced into the area before picking the unmarked Bojang at the far post.
The Gambia came back from the break with more intent to increase their advantage and they made it 4-0 two minutes after the restart through Bojang for his hat-trick.
South Sudan goalkeeper Yogusuk was punished for failing to clear a long ball allowing Bojang to guide home his effort into an unguarded goal.
The Gambia coach Abdoulie Bojang reshuffled his team with a couple of changes as they look to rest some of the players for the semi-finals against the record champions Nigeria.
Substitutes Alieu Gibba and Muhammed Sawaneh combined for the fifth goal which was scored by defensive midfielder Mahmud Bajo.
Gambia joins their neighbours Senegal as the only teams to win all their matches without conceding a goal and also seal places at the semis and the World Cup.
Tunisia battles past Congo
Tunisia secured a dramatic 5-4 penalty shootout win over Congo after extra-time at the Cairo International Stadium to secure their place in the semi-final.
Tunisia will travel to the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia to face Senegal for a place in the final of the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Young Carthage Eagles of Tunisia beat the Congo on penalties following a thrilling 3-3 stalemate in regulation time.
Substitute Aziz Abid scored the winning spot kick to send Adel Sellimi’s team to the last four and book their ticket to the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Indonesia later this year.
The two teams came into the quarter final match with great enthusiasm and determination to make the semi-finals following their group stage qualification.
It was the Red Devils of Congo who drew first blood at the Cairo International Stadium through Deogracias Bassinga’s goal on 24 minutes.
The forward was smart to turn in Exauce Nzahou’s clever cut back into the area to give Marie Joseph Madienguela’s team the lead.
Tunisia replied through Saint Etienne forward Jibril Othman’s well taken goal seven minutes before the break.
The in-form striker beat his marker to stylishly flick Rayan Nasraoui’s perfect ball into the Congo box.
The two sides continued to push for the next goal but cancelled out each other heading into halftime.
The Young Carthage Eagles went in front through Samy Chouchane’s low drive from the edge of the box to beat Makoundou to make 2-1 on 76 minutes.
The match lived up to its billing as Congo got back into the match through their brilliant forward Deogracias Bassinga ten minutes from normal time.
Bassinga latched on Saikou Djigo’s through ball to beat Raed Gazzeh with a powerful effort inside the area to send the match into extra time.
With the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology being used in the knockout phase of the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations it was called to action three times in the match.
The referee right disallowed a goal for either side following an on-field VAR review before awarding Congo a penalty following another on-field VAR review.
Déogracias Bassinga completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot after Congo had won a penalty for handball inside the area. Bassinga dispatched the spot kick on 102 minutes to restore their lead.
The resilient Tunisian left it late to draw level courtesy of Ali Saoudi’s effort which beat the helpless Maillon Makoundou to force the match into post match shootouts.
Raed Gazzeh stopped two spot kicks from substitutes Belfegor Mindou and Josna Loulendo before Davarel Mouandza missed his penalty to allow Tunisia’s Aziz Abid to convert the winner and send the Young Carthage Eagles to the semi-finals.
