Senegal booked Africa’s first ticket to the FIFA World Cup after running riot against South Africa 5-0 in the quarter final of the U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) staged at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers on Wednesday evening.A pair of first half own goals by each of South Africa’s central defenders followed up by Mamadou Sadio’s goal and skipper Amara Diouf’s brace saw the Teranga Cubs continue with their impressive performance in the competition.With this being the first time Senegal have progressed beyond the group stages of the U17 AFCON and qualifying for the World Cup for the second time in their history, having done so in 2019, coach Saliou Dia dedicated the victory to the people of Senegal.FULL-TIME! ⏰ A 5-star performance from Senegal as they comfortably beat South Africa 🇸🇳#TotalEnergiesAFCONU17 pic.twitter.com/0pbrTzQjIw— #TotalEnergiesAFCONU17 2023 🏆 (@CAF_Online) May 10, 2023 “We are delighted with this victory. I congratulate the players for a job well done. I dedicate this qualification to the people of Senegal and everyone who has worked day and night to see us achieve this great victory,” the tactician stated.With the World Cup ticket sealed, Senegal now shift their attention to the charge for a first ever U17 title.ON BOARD TO THE #U17FWC ✅Senegal advance to the 2023 #TotalEnergiesAFCONU17 semi-finals to secure their place in the U17 @FIFAWorldCup 👏 Congratulations, @Fsfofficielle 🥳 pic.twitter.com/gSKIQfFTRH— #TotalEnergiesAFCONU17 2023 🏆 (@CAF_Online) May 10, 2023 In the second quarter final, Zakaria Ouazane scored a goal in either half with Adam Chakir adding a late third as Morocco beat hosts Algeria 3-0, stunning a fully packed Stade Mohamed Hamlaoui in Constantine to send the Atlas Cubs to the FIFA World Cup.Algeria enjoyed brilliant support with the Constantine fans filling the stadium to the rafters and raising their voices to deafening decibels, but it was a tactically disciplined Moroccan side that went off with victory and a place in the last four.Ouazane broke the deadlock after 28 minutes when he headed into the bottom right after a cross from Ayman Ennair.##NAJAVA_MECA_7244763##The latter had done well to pickpocket Younes Badani of the ball on the right before curling in a cross for the lanky Ouazane to nod home.In the second half, Morocco needed just 12 minutes to double their tally, Abdel Hamid Maali sending Ouazane through with a peach of a ball, the latter running between the two central defenders to shoot low for his brace.Morocco put the icing on the cake and sent the stadium into pin drop silence with the third goal in the 86th minute, Chakir shooting brilliantly on the half volley from a cross on the right.#U17FWC BOUND 👏Morocco reach the U17 @FIFAWorldCup after confirming their place in the 2023 #TotalEnergiesAFCONU17 🦁 pic.twitter.com/bUTLTFkSrr— #TotalEnergiesAFCONU17 2023 🏆 (@CAF_Online) May 10, 2023 “The World Cup is a dream for the players. We have a chance to measure ourselves up against teams which are considered leaders in world football and this is absolutely good for their development. Going to the World Cup for them at this age is also a huge motivation for their careers,” Morocco head coach Said Chiba said after the match.Two more quarterfinals are lined up on Thursday where Mali will face Congo as Nigeria take on Burkina Faso.Omanyala to clash with Kerley, Jacobs in world class Rabat Diamond League fieldThursday FixturesMali vs Congo -1900EATNigeria vs Burkina Faso – 2200EAT
