Qualifying for the 2023 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations in Morocco kicked off on Wednesday with a matchup between West African nations as well as an all-COSAFA duel. Burkina Faso have plenty of work to do after losing the first leg of their tie against Gambia by a score of 1-0 in Cotonou, Benin. Lamin Jarju drove into the Burkinabé penalty area before being taken down, setting up a penalty kick for Momodou Bojang to convert in the 78th minute.
Gambia will host the second leg in Morocco with a spot in the Second Round up for grabs. In the other matchup on Wednesday, Angola defeated fellow Southern African side Namibia 2-1 in Luanda. Primeiro de Agosto winger Bito and Portuguese-based attacker Picas scored for the Palancas Negras after Gonzales Tsuseb opened the scoring for Namibia in the 58th minute.
Video of Bojang’s winning penalty kick for Gambia is below Wednesday’s scores.
Scores
Angola 2-1 Namibia
Burkina Faso 0-1 Gambia
Highlights
Burkina Faso 0-1 Gambia