The Second Round is underway in qualifying for the 2023 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations after Saturday’s five first leg matchups featuring under-23 national teams from all over Africa. Eight teams will participate in the competition that is set to start in June next year in Morocco and four of the five games ended in draws as Mali, Nigeria, Ivory Coast and Zambia will all have the opportunity to clinch advancement to the Third Round at home next week.
Cameroon was the one winner on Saturday with an excellent performance in Angola to snatch a 2-3 victory. Astres de Douala forward Ivan Djantou scored twice in the victory as Cameroon were ahead 3-2 before Angola snatched a late goal to keep themselves within one heading into the second leg back in Cameroon.
Nigeria snatched a valuable away goal in Dar es Salaam against Tanzania, drawing 1-1 after captain Success Makanjuola converted from the penalty spot before the hosts responded with a penalty kick of their own. The story was similar in Liberia where hosts Sierra Leone opened the scoring from the spot through Alie Conteh before Zambia equalized in the game’s final minutes with a penalty kick as well for a 1-1 result.
Rwanda were also held to a 1-1 draw at home by Mali. Niger and Ivory Coast ended scoreless to wrap up the results from Saturday. Highlights from most of Saturday’s encounters are below following the list of scores.
Scores
Rwanda 1-1 Mali
Tanzania 1-1 Nigeria
Angola 2-3 Cameroon
Niger 0-0 Ivory Coast
Sierra Leone 1-1 Zambia
Highlights
Tanzania 1-1 Nigeria
Rwanda 1-1 Mali
Angola 2-3 Cameroon
Niger 0-0 Ivory Coast
