~ EGYPT, MOROCCO INTO FINAL FOUR ~

[HOUDA-K]

Defending champions Egypt and Morocco qualified from Group B for the semi-finals of the African Youth Championship in Benin on Sunday.




Morocco edged out Angola 1-0 at the Rene Pleven Stadium while on the other side of Cotonou, Egypt easily beat Lesotho 4-1 at the Friendship Stadium.

The Egyptians raced into a two goal lead in the opening 12 minutes of their match.

Abdalllah Abdou opened the scoring in the seventh minute and Ahmed Farag doubled the lead just five minutes later.
The other three goals of the match all came in the final fifteen minutes of the second-half.
Abdallah Mohammed extended Egpyt's lead to 3-0 in the 75th minute before Mahmoud Alla Fadl put the game beyond doubt with an 82nd minute strike.

Lesotho got a late consolation through a penalty converted by Lintho Korie.
Morocco secured their semi-final place with their narrow win over Angola as Mouhssine Iajour grabbed the only goal of the game in the 39th minute.

The results mean that Egypt win Group B thanks to a better goal difference over Morocco with both sides on seven points from their three matches.

Lesotho, who were playing in their first ever continental finals, finished third in the group with three points while the Angolans return home without securing a single point.

In Wednesday's semi-finals Egypt face Group A runners-up Benin while Morocco face Group A winners Nigeria, who have won all their matches in the tournament so far.

All four semi-finalists automatically qualify for Fifa's World Youth Championships in Holland in June.

[TonyStarks]

Its going to be tough for Morocco against Nigeria but hopefully they'll do a good result. Morocco vs Egypt final would be entertaining.

[HOUDA-K]

Hi Tony,

I'm really pleased & proud that Morocco got through to the semi finals. Lets just watch this space..............

[TonyStarks]

I guess it just wasnt meant to be:

"Nigeria are through to the final of the African Youth Championship after beating Morocco 5-3 on penalties on Wednesday."

Nigeria will play winner of Egypt/Benin. Morocco will play loser for 3rd spot.

For complete article (from BBC):

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...ca/4209813.stm

[HOUDA-K]

I guess so Tony.

What a shame for Morocco , but I can’t say I’m shocked but pleased they got thus far.

[TonyStarks]

Morocco lost to Benin in the 3rd place game. Egypt lost to Nigeria in the finals. Final standings:

1. Nigeria (Champions)
2. Egypt
3. Benin
4. Morocco