CAF U-17: CECAFA representatives Tanzania pip Angola, eye World Cup slot

CAF U-17 Championship 2017:

Group B:

• Tanzania 2-1 Angola
• Niger 1-2 Mali

Council of East and Central Africa (CECAFA) representatives at the on-going CAF U-17 championship, Tanzania earned their first victory at the tourney on Thursday.

Tanzania defeated Angola 2-1 at the Stade De L’Amitie in Libreville during their second Group B match.

The East African coastal country took a 6^th minute lead through Kelvin Nashon Naftal.

Francisco Carlos Chilumbo found the equalizer 12 minutes later as the half time ended one goal apiece.

At the onset of the second half, either side called for their respective first changes.

Enrick Vitaris Nkosi paved way for Said Mussa for Tanzania as Angola’s Capitao Antonio Jose replaced Pedro Amor.

Bakari however played for 15 minutes only when he was substituted for Shabani Zuberi Ada for Tanzania’s second change.

Man of the match Abdul Hamisi Suleiman grabbed the match winner 20 minutes to full time for the precious three points in the bag.

After the goal, the young Tanzanian side called for the cautious final change when Asad Ali Juma came off for Mushin Malima Makame.

With about 15 minutes to the end of the match, Angola replaced Adalmiro Patricio Pacheco Da Silva with Ramiro Joao Paulo, a change that yielded no positive result.

In the second group game of the day, Mali edged out Niger to go joint top with Tanzania on 4 points.

Hadji Drame gave Mali the lead as early as the 6^th minute. Habibou Sofiane leveled the matters for Niger 15 minute to the mandatory half time whistle but Mohamed Camara ensured the maximum points for Mali with a goal that turned out to be the winning goal.

Tanzania plays their final group stage match on Sunday against Niger with a mission of just avoiding defeat to progress for the FIFA World U-17 tournament in India and also book a semi-final berth at the on-going tourney in Gabon.

Last group games:

Group A’s last group stage games will come on Saturday.

Hosts Gabon, who are already eliminated take on Cameroon at Stade De Port Gentil.

At the same time, already qualified Ghana will play Guinea in Libreville.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, Group B action kicks off with the Mali – Angola encounter, which will take place in Libreville as Tanzania plays Niger in Port Gentil.

The four countries in Group B have a realistic chance of progressing to the semi-finals.

All the last group games will take place at the same time to avoid syndicate.