CAF U17 CHAMPIONSHIO: ALL THE FIXTURES AS GOLDEN EAGLETS REMAIN CLEAR FAVORITES

The 2013 African U-17 Championship is a football competition organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The tournament will take place in Morrocco between 13th – 27th of  April, 2013.
The competition will be hosted by the two beautiful cities of casablanca and marrakech
The Golden Eaglets of Nigeria are the overwhelming favorites to win the championship as they were ruthless on the way to the championship.
The Nigerians capped off their impressive qualification campaign which saw them let in just a goal and scoring 21times which saw the Golden Eaglets, make a bold return at the continental fiesta after failing to qualify for the last two editions; 2009 (Algeria) and 2011 (Rwanda).

The tiki taka style of play of the team was a delight to watch at the Aspire training ground in Qatar,(where the team had their training camp for morrocco 2013 )  as the team combined sublime skills with great attacking flair to despatch an Aspire selected side 7 - 1 and their sexy football against As saad fc (a squad which have the great Raul of real madrid in their fold) made many to fall in love with the team which many observers of the game are already tipping  to emulate the feat of class of 1985,1993 and 2007 by winning the FIFA U17 World cup in United Arab Emirates in october.

Other teams that one have to watch out for are host Morrocco which have over ten of the young boys playing thier football abroad also the black starlets of Ghana cannot be written off when it comes to age grade competitions.

 The top four teams will qualify for the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

GROUP A                                                          GROUP B
MORROCCO                                                   NIGERIA
GABON                                                             GHANA  
TUNISIA                                                            COTE D IVORE
BOTSWANA                                                    CONGO

    ALL THE FIXTURES


13 April 2013
15:00
    Morocco      v      Gabon     Stade Mohamed V, Casablanca
       
13 April 2013
18:00
    Tunisia      v      Botswana     Stade Mohamed V, Casablanca
       
16 April 2013
15:30
    Gabon      v      Tunisia     Stade Mohamed V, Casablanca
       
16 April 2013
18:30
    Botswana      v      Morocco     Stade Mohamed V, Casablanca
       
19 April 2013
18:30
    Morocco      v      Tunisia     Stade Mohamed V, Casablanca
       
19 April 2013
18:30
    Gabon      v      Botswana     Stade de Marrakech, Marrakech
   
14 April 2013
15:00
    Congo      v      Côte d'Ivoire     Stade de Marrakech, Marrakech
       
14 April 2013
18:00
    Nigeria      v      Ghana     Stade de Marrakech, Marrakech
       
17 April 2013
15:30
    Côte d'Ivoire      v      Nigeria     Stade de Marrakech, Marrakech
       
17 April 2013
18:30
    Ghana      v      Congo     Stade de Marrakech, Marrakech
       
20 April 2013
15:00
    Congo      v      Nigeria     Stade de Marrakech, Marrakech
       
20 April 2013
15:00
    Côte d'Ivoire      v      Ghana     Stade Mohamed V, Casablanca
Semi-finals
23 April 2013
15:00
    Winner Group A     v     Runner-up Group B     Stade Mohamed V, Casablanca
       
24 Aprl 2013
18:30
    Winner Group B     v     Runner-up Group A     Stade de Marrakech, Marrakech
       
Third place match
27 April 2013
    Loser Semi-final 1     v     Loser Semi-final 2     Stade de Marrakech, Marrakech
       

AYC U 20 ALGERIA 2013 : ALL THE RESULTS FOR THE RECORDS

March 16    17:30    Algeria    0     vs     Benin 0    Stade  Omar Oucief, Aïn Témouchen                     March 16    20:30    Ghana     1     vs       Egypt 2    Stade   Omar Oucief, Aïn Témouchent

March  17   17:30     Nigeria     0     vs      Mali  1     Stade  Ahmed Zabana, Oran      

March 17    20:30     Congo DR  0   vs      Gabon 0       Stade   Ahmed Zabana, Oran

March 19   17:30     Ghana       1      vs      Benin 0     Stade    Omar Oucief, Aïn Témouchent

March 19   20:30      Algeria     0     vs       Egypt 1      Stade    Omar Oucief, Aïn Témouchent

March 20  17:30      Mali          2       vs     Congo DR 1        Stade Ahmed Zabana, Oran

March 20  20:30      Gabon      0       vs      Nigeria    1          Stade Ahmed Zabana, Oran

March 22  17:30      Algeria     0         vs     Ghana  2               Stade Omar Oucief, Aïn Témouchent

March 22  17:30      Benin      0          vs     Egypt  1                Stade Ahmed Zabana, Oran

March 23 20:30      Nigeria     3           vs    Congo DR       1       Stade Ahmed Zabana, Oran

March 23 20:30      Mali            0         vs           Gabon      2              Stade  Omar Oucief, Aïn Témouchen

                                      SEMI FINALS    FIXTURES

17:00      EGYPT  2 VS  NIGERIA  0                         Stade  Omar Oucief, Aïn Témouchen  SF 1

17:00      MALI 2 (0)  VS  GHANA (0) 4 AET                         Stade Ahmed Zabana, Oran                 SF 2

                                                  THIRD PLACE FINAL

         MARCH 29 17:30        NIGERIA   2   VS     MALI   1    Stade Ahmed Zabana, Oran

                                                         FINAL

       MARCH 30  17:30         EGYPT 1 VS    GHANA  1( 5-4) AET Stade Ahmed Zabana, Oran

EGPPT 1 VS GHANA 1 EGYPT 5 VS GHANA 4 AET THE MATCH REPORT : Egypt crowned AYC champions

Egypt won their fourth CAF U-20 Championship title on Saturday after a 5-4 penalty shoot-out victory over Ghana in the final played at Ahmed Zabana stadium in Oran on Saturday. The two sides had played a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
Converting penalties for Egypt were Saleh Gomaa, Ahmed Samir, Ahmed ElSayed, Mahmoud Monem and Hossam Mohamed while Ramy Rabie missed and for Ghana were Richmond Nketiah, Jeremiah Arkorful, Lawrence Lartey, Ebenezer Ofori while Attama Joseph and Moses Odjer missed.

The 12th Orange CAF Youth Championship final opened with two early goals, the first coming after only three minutes when Ghanaian defender Richmond Nketiah brought down left winger Mahmoud Monem in the box. Up stepped Saleh Gomaa to convert the spot kick and the Young Pharaohs went in front. Two minutes later at the other end Ahmed Samir went for a kick clearance and fouled Moses Odjer who was first to the ball with his head resulting in the second penalty of the game. Jeremiah Arkorful sent keeper Mossad Awad the wrong way and with 7 minutes on the clock it was 1-1.

The quick goals seemed to have helped the two sides settled down into the game and flowing passing football befitting a final was soon on show. Ghana were productive attacking from the right flank where Nketiah, Odjer and Ebenezer Assifuah were combining well. Egypt on the other hand were channeling the bulk of the play via the left wing looking to use Monem who was a constant threat to the Ghanaian defenders with his silky skills each time he was on the ball. The game brought out some interesting tassels in the midfield as Gomaa, Hossam Mohamed and Mahmoud Ahmed for the Egyptians wrestled with Clifford Aboagye, Ebenezer Ofori and Salifu Seidu in a bid to control and influence the game. 

On 30th minute Arkorful almost doubled the Black Satellites’ score with a delightful free-kick that cannoned off the cross bar and bounced back into play to be cleared by the Egyptians. The first half ended 1-1 and the game maintained its tempo upon resumption. The evenly balanced contest continued with action swing from one end to the other much to the delight of a good appreciative crowd that came to Ahmed Zabana stadium.   

Nketiah was in the mood to shoot and on 60th minute he warmed Awad ‘s palms with a rasping shot and not long after Arkorful saw his free-kick sail centimeters wide as Ghana accumulated a few free kick around the edge of the Egyptian box. Egypt’s response was swift, captain Ramy Rabia started a run from half-way and found Omar Bassam with a pass but his progress towards goal was well checked by outstanding Ghanaian captain Lawrence Lartey who was at the hearty of most of his side’s fine defending.

Going into the last fifteen minutes it was Ghana who close to adding to the score line and a combination of keeper Awad’s reflexes and solid defending from Mahmoud Elmetwaly and Yasser Ahmed kept the Satellites at bay. Some substitutions revived Egypt’s attacking play in particular the contribution of pacey substitute Ahmed ElSayed. The last five minutes both sides seemed resigned to play extra time, as they pass the ball round not too keen to concede at this late stage.Extra time could not separate the sides and it was left to a penalty shoot-out to decide the winner.

EGYPT VS GHANA IN AYC FINAL SHOWDOWN AS NIGERIA DEFEATED MALI 2-1 NIGERIA,MALI KNOW WORLD CUP FOES IN FRESH WORLD CUP DRAW

EGYPT VS GHANA IN  AYC FINAL SHOWDOWN
AS NIGERIA DEFEATED MALI 2-1
NIGERIA,MALI KNOW WORLD CUP FOES IN FRESH WORLD CUP DRAW

 

Egypt and Ghana will play in the final of the 2013 Orange CAF U-20 Championship on Saturday at Ahmed Zabana stadium in Oran, Algeria. The Young Pharaohs go into the match as favourites after notching four straight wins including an opening 2-1 victory over same opponents, Ghana two weeks ago.

Ghana coach Sellas Tetteh was at pains dispelling the suggestions that the Black Satellites will be seeking revenge.  “ It worries me when l hear such talk about being motivated by revenge, and wanting to get back at Egypt for that loss in the first game. That match is in the past and our approach to the final is not based on a need to even things or any such intention. We are in a final and will play to win, regardless of what has happened before. “ said Tetteh
Tetteh’s counterpart, Rabie Yassine said he would be expecting a challenging encounter with Ghana but he too will not be dwelling on the result from their last meeting. “First of all, we have a lot of respect for Ghana and their football but we are ready to face them on Saturday and l have been working on my team and concentrating on what we need to do to win.  We want to make our own history, we have our destiny in our own hands and I believe we can win this tournament. We are capable, we have what it takes to win,” Yassine said.

When the sides met last time Ghana created more scoring chances but Egypt were more efficient with theirs and thus carried the day. According to coach Yassine his side will strike a balance between offensive and defensive play but will definitely take the game to the opposition and continue with the style and combinations that has served the side well so far. “We have done our homework on Ghana and hopefully my boys will again execute the game plan the coaching staff will set like they have done so well so far. We will play our football on the pitch and yes after the match l will say more too and by then God willing l will talking as a winner then” concluded Yassine

Both coaches are hoping a have a clean bill of health but admitted they have some waiting to do on some key players currently nursing injuries. The Egyptian captain Rami Rabea will have to pass a late fitness test on his injured ankle but coach Yassine is hopeful he will have his captain on the field. Rabea scored the only goal in a 1-0 win against the host nation, Algeria and has been a vital cog in Egyptian side. 
Meanwhile coach Tetteh is hoping that Derrick Mensah will recover in time to be considered for selection.
Sellas Tetteh famously engineered Ghana U-20’s finest year in 2009 leading the side to the African Youth Championship in Rwanda before Ghana won the FIFA U-20 World Cup held in Egypt in 2009 to become the first African side to do so. “By God’s grace we shall see how the final goes but l believe this one is for us, they had theirs in the first game. We have come very far and we are looking forward to this match. These boys do need any more motivation than being in the final. That alone is self-motivation enough to have made it this far , so we are going to work very hard to overcome and we are in high spirits, so God willing we shall be victorious." Tetteh said

Both Ghana and Egypt currently have three African U-20 Championship titles each so the winner will move onto four (4) which is tow behind record holders Nigeria with six. The final match will be played at Ahmed Zabana stadium in Oran, Algeria and kick off is 17h30 local time

 AS FLYING EAGLES KNOW WORLCUP FOES AFTER ANOTHER FIFA DRAW

Meanwhile FIFA announces that a draw will be conducted  on 30th of March 2013 to determine  which groups the teams finishing second, third and fourth at the on-going 2013 African U-20 Youth Championship will be in for the FIFA U-20 World Cup,Turkey 2013.

After FIFA organized a draw in Turkey on March 25, 2013, for the final tournament of the World Championship the eventual African U-20 winners have been drawn in a group designated as  "African champion " and Saturday’s draw will be about placing the remaining three teams which have been designated as “CAF” after the draw on March 25,2013 into other groups.
The Flying Eagles of Nigeria defeated the young Eagles of mali by two goals to one to place third leaving the Malians at the fourth place in a match decided  friday evening in oran algiers  .

The draw will take place after the final match between Egypt and Ghana and the  medal ceremony on 30th  March 2013 at Ahmed Zabana Stadium in Oran, Algeria.
 

PUTTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT: THE CHAIRMAN OF THE NIGERIA LEAGUE MANAGEMENT COMPANY,NDUKA IRABOR, WRITES YOU

   

PUTTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT:
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE NIGERIA LEAGUE MANAGEMENT COMPANY,NDUKA IRABOR, WRITES YOU

    To All Nigerians (especially football lovers, football administrators, Football Club promoters, sponsors and potential sponsors of the Nigeria Professional Football League).





    Revamping the Nigerian Professional Football League…in line with the law and present day realities.

    Subsequent to my several press interviews in recent days, I find it necessary to present this communiqué as a forum to consolidate and also provide an update of the workings of the League Management Committee for the benefit of all football stakeholders.

    On the 27th of December, 2012, the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) in exercise of its statutory powers set up the League Management Committee, to ‘rescue’ professional league football. At its inauguration by Alhaji Aminu Maigari, President of the NFA, the Committee was charged with the following terms of reference:

    - organize the 2012/2013 league season;

    - review all contractual obligations of the Nigeria Premier League, including TV and sponsorship rights;

    - review existing rules and guidelines for the election into Nigeria Premier League Board;

    - develop new standards for players contracts and welfare;

    - develop strategy and facilitate the reform of the league towards achieving profitability; and



    - any other relevant matters the Committee may deem necessary.



    This committee of eminent Nigerians volunteered for this assignment, motivated by nothing more than patriotism and a desire to revive a moribund local football league mired in litigation, insolvency and administered in a manner that was opaque and inefficient.

    In the discharge of its mandate as an interim task-force, the League Management Committee wishes to publicly acknowledge the immense assistance and cooperation of the NFA President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari and the good offices of the Honourable Minister of Sports, Mallam

    Bolaji Abdullahi.



    Legal Entanglements of the League



    Following an exhaustive examination of the legal and financial issues that had paralyzed the football league (resulting in the dissolution of the former board), the committee decided that the interest of all stakeholders, especially the teeming millions of football lovers in Nigeria, would be best served by mapping out a new direction in the structure and management of the local premier football league.

    There could be no other way forward especially after a Federal High Court had adjudged in January 2012 that the Nigeria Football League Ltd, the body hitherto set up to run and manage the local league was an illegal body. The circumstances are set out below.



    Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/179/2010, between Dr. Sam Sam Jaja (Plaintiff) and Nigeria Football League Limited and 4 others (Defendants), is the chief source of the legal entanglements surrounding the League in Nigeria. The judgment of the Court in the suit delivered on January 20, 2012 erodes completely the identity and legal capacity of the body critical to the organization and management of professional football in Nigeria; this is Nigeria Football League Limited (NFL LTD), the 1st Defendant in the suit.

    At page 51 of the judgment, Hon Justice D.U. Okorowo, of the Federal High Court, Abuja declares as follows concerning NFL Ltd,



    “3. That the incorporation of the 1st Defendant as a company with the 1st and 2nd Defendant as the only subscribers to its Memorandum and Articles of Association is tantamount to incorporation by one person and thus illegal and void in so far as the 1st Defendant was not a legal person at the time of the subscription to the Memorandum and Articles of Association.”

    Finally, at page 52, the Court specifically directs the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) (5

    th Defendant) as follows concerning NFL Ltd,



    “7. That the 5th Defendant is hereby mandatorily directed to immediately commence steps for winding up of the 1st Defendant for infraction of the provisions of Companies and Allied Matters Act.”

    It must be pointed out that the actual management and operation of the NFL Ltd itself, while it existed, was fraught with all sorts of illegalities. For instance, all manner of persons with definitively questionable motives had intruded in the affairs of the company and purported to be holding elections to its Board. The Federal High Court in the same judgment also declared these activities illegal as follows:



    “4. That any election to the Board of the 1st Defendant can only be validly conducted in accordance with the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the 1st Defendant and the provisions of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, rather than in line with the so-called guidelines issued by the purported electoral committee (having the 3rd and 4th Defendants as chairman and vice chairman respectively) set up by the 1st Defendant. That Electoral Committee is not a body contemplated by the Companies and Allied Matters Act nor the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the 1st Defendant and as such not competent to issues election guidelines, qualify candidates, on the basis of the said guidelines or take any other action in relation to the election into the Board of Directors of the 1st Defendant”

    In summary, the Federal High Court declared that:



    i. the Nigeria Football League Ltd is an illegal body, having been incorporated in contravention of the law the Court has ordered its winding up.

    ii. Nigeria Premier League (a creation of the illegal NFL) has no corporate personality and is unknown to Nigerian law.

    iii. No aspect of the administration or management of football in Nigeria can be conducted in the names of either NFL of NPL.

    iv. This judgment has not been overturned on appeal and remains valid.



    The League Management Company (LMC)



    Based on legal advice and in line within our mandate, the management committee in conjunction with the NFA opted for a new management body for the local league that will be structured on corporate governance, transparency and meets the unfulfilled expectations of local football fans.

    This new legal entity was also necessary for us to be in compliance with the laws of the land and also to provide a legal base for entering into new contractual agreements with stakeholders.



    The new entity, the League Management Company (LMC), has taken off unencumbered by the baggage of illegality, absence of due process and insolvency that has bedeviled the growth of the local league. The LMC, taking its mandate from the Nigeria Football Association, will run a Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) that will meet FIFA and global standards of football. The goal is to have a League for Nigeria, run by competent Nigerians and clubs for the benefit of both local and international footballers and fans.



    Incorporating a new management structure is only the start, rather than the end of the necessary reforms for the local league. The football clubs will also need individual reforms to restructure as legal, corporate entities able to meet mutually agreed upon terms for their management and operations as members of the NPFL.



    We have already set out to work.

    The LMC has commenced the processes of restructure by putting in place machineries to deliver its mandate.

    We are preparing for instance a new league rules framework which includes new rules for the qualification and licensing of clubs within the league to bring our local clubs in line with international standards.

    The new rules will guarantee that clubs meet their obligations to players etc by ensuring that they have solid financial bases, setting aside 5% of the income of the LMC solely dedicated for a youth development program which will ensure that all clubs have feeder clubs of players not older than 18 years of age and of not more than 30 trainees.

    These feeder clubs will help identify talents and provide a pool of future talents for the game. New standards of training of players, coaches, referees, medical personnel, match security agents etc will be enforced, amongst other things.



    We are also in the process of developing a corporate governance model for the LMC, the clubs and the league. We are presently re-working and negotiating the Title Sponsorship Agreement as well as the Broadcast Rights Agreement to bring them in line with more commercial and favourable terms for the league and also in compliance with the laws of the land such as the Nigerian Broadcasting Code etc; club licensing rules are being introduced and prepared; and in order to protect our sponsors so as to guaranty the financing of the league, we are preparing Compliance Agreements with the clubs. It is very possible to conduct business in a fair and transparent manner. The business of football should be no exception.



    Those unaware or who feel threatened of this new direction have, rather than ask, taken to imputing ulterior motives and unfounded accusations about what is afoot. It is laughable to suggest that any individual or group can hijack a league that truly belongs to Nigeria’s 160 million football loving citizens. Suffice it to state that the current management committee, being an interim body, can and has only acted in trust on behalf of all stakeholders in Nigerian football in the incorporation of the League Management Company Limited.

    The LMC was incorporated to manage the professional league, under license from the NFA. It has a share capital of 100,000,000 (one hundred million shares). In order to meet the minimum requirement of the law for incorporation, only 25% of its share capital was subscribed on incorporation. The NFA holds golden shares of 5% and the LMC, in the name of its Chairman holds 20%

    in trust for the company, which will be relinquished as the situation warrants. There is a pre-signed Nominees Agreement to this effect and an affidavit sworn to by myself and registered at the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja to further buttress this commitment to relinquish these shares held temporarily by me. The participating clubs of the league will own no less than 60% of the Shares which they will be mandated to take up as soon as they are re-organized and operated as corporate entities in law.



    These clubs are only going to hold the shares allotted to them as long they remain in the professional football league. Once any club is relegated or disqualified from the professional league it will lose its shares and the club taking its place will take over those shares. This is to make the clubs and the league truly professionally run as is the case in other parts. Football fans are aware that Glasgow Rangers was demoted from the Scottish Premier League to Division recently because it could not comply with the mandatory financial regulations of their league. Its demotion was sanctioned by the other clubs in the Scottish Premier League themselves!! Malaga FC in Spain’s La Liga has recently been barred by UEFA from the Champions Leagues because the club failed to comply with the financial regulations stipulated by UEFA for all clubs participating in its tournaments. This means Malaga will not play in the Champions League as from next season, though they are currently at the quarter finals stage of the same competition.

    I implore all to note, that the administration of professional football is not whimsical, but must be in compliance with the law.

    Enthusiasm and passion only cannot manage football of today, as was done in the past.

    In the coming days and weeks the management of the LMC will keep the public and all stakeholders duly abreast of developments in the task to usher in a new day in Nigerian professional football. We appreciate your trust and partnership in bringing back the best of Nigerian football.



    Signed,

Hon. Nduka Irabor

Chairman, League Management Company.

ROAD TO BRAZIL 2014 : FIXTURES AND RESULTS ACROSS THE WORLD

 
  WORLD CUP QUALIFIER FULL TIME RESULTS ACROSS THE WORLD
MARCH 22,2013
World Cup - UEFA Qualification Group A
FT     Croatia     2 - 0     Serbia
FT     Macedonia     0 - 2     Belgium
FT     Scotland     1 - 2     Wales
World Cup - UEFA Qualification Group B
FT     Bulgaria     6 - 0     Malta
FT     Czech Republic     0 - 3     Denmark
World Cup - UEFA Qualification Group C
FT     Kazakhstan     0 - 3     Germany
FT     Austria     6 - 0     Faroe Islands
FT     Sweden     0 - 0     Ireland
World Cup - UEFA Qualification Group D
FT     Andorra     0 - 2     Turkey
FT     Hungary     2 - 2     Romania
FT     Netherlands     3 - 0     Estonia
World Cup - UEFA Qualification Group E
FT     Slovenia     1 - 2     Iceland
FT     Norway     0 - 1     Albania
World Cup - UEFA Qualification Group F
FT     Israel     3 - 3     Portugal
FT     Luxembourg     0 - 0     Azerbaijan
World Cup - UEFA Qualification Group G
FT     Liechtenstein     1 - 1     Latvia
FT     Slovakia     1 - 1     Lithuania
FT     Bosnia-Herzegovina     3 - 1     Greece
World Cup - UEFA Qualification Group H
FT     Moldova     0 - 1     Montenegro
FT     Poland     1 - 3     Ukraine
FT     San Marino     0 - 8     England
World Cup - UEFA Qualification Group I
FT     Spain     1 - 1     Finland
FT     France     3 - 1     Georgia
World Cup - CONCACAF Qualification 4. Round
FT     Honduras     2 - 2     Mexico
World Cup - CONMEBOL Qualification
FT     Colombia     5 - 0     Bolivia
FT     Uruguay     1 - 1     Paraguay
World Cup - OFC Qualification 3rd stage
FT     New Zealand     2 - 1     New Caledonia

   MARCH 23,2013
World Cup - UEFA Qualification Group E
FT     Cyprus     0 - 0     Switzerland
World Cup - UEFA Qualification Group F
Po     N.Ireland     ? - ?     Russia
World Cup - CONCACAF Qualification 4. Round
FT     Jamaica     1 - 1     Panama
FT     USA     1 - 0     Costa Rica
World Cup - CONMEBOL Qualification
FT     Argentina     3 - 0     Venezuela
FT     Peru     1 - 0     Chile
World Cup - CAF Qualification Group A
FT     South Africa     2 - 0     Central African Rep.
World Cup - CAF Qualification Group B
FT     Tunisia     2 - 1     Sierra Leone
World Cup - CAF Qualification Group C
FT     Ivory Coast     3 - 0     Gambia
World Cup - CAF Qualification Group E
FT     Congo     1 - 0     Gabon
FT     Burkina Faso     4 - 0     Niger
World Cup - CAF Qualification Group F
FT     Namibia     0 - 1     Malawi
FT     Nigeria     1 - 1     Kenya
World Cup - CAF Qualification Group I
FT     Cameroon     2 - 1     Togo
World Cup - CAF Qualification Group J
FT     Senegal     1 - 1     Angola
World Cup - OFC Qualification 3rd stage
FT     Tahiti     2 - 0     Solomon Islands 


FIXTURES
24/03/13 15:00    Tanzania     vs     Morocco   
24/03/13 15:00     Lesotho       vs              Zambia   
24/03/13 15:00    Mozambique  vs        Guinea   
24/03/13 15:30     Rwanda vs Mali   
24/03/13 15:30    Congo DR vs    Libya   
24/03/13 16:00     Ethiopia vs    Botswana   
24/03/13 16:00    Ghana     vs    Sudan   
24/03/13 16:00    Liberia    vs    Uganda   
24/03/13 17:00            Equatorial Guinea vs    Cape Verde Islands   
26/03/13 15:00           Solomon Islands    vs    New Zealand   
26/03/13 16:00           Ecuador    vs    Paraguay   
26/03/13 16:00          Bolivia        vs     Argentina   
26/03/13 17:00          Jordan         vs Japan   
26/03/13 18:00         New Caledonia     vs Tahiti   
26/03/13 18:00        Uzbekistan vs    Lebanon   
26/03/13 19:00       Estonia    vs    Andorra   
26/03/13 19:00       Egypt    vs    Zimbabwe   
26/03/13 19:30      Venezuela     vs    Colombia   
26/03/13 19:30     Australia    vs    Oman   
26/03/13 19:45    Wales    vs    Croatia   
26/03/13 19:45  Republic of Ireland   vs Austria   
26/03/13 19:45 Northern Ireland    vs        Israel   
26/03/13 20:00 Korea Republic     vs        Qatar   
26/03/13 20:00 Costa Rica           vs   Jamaica   
26/03/13 20:00 Armenia         vs  Czech Republic   
26/03/13 20:15 Denmark        vs   Bulgaria   
26/03/13 20:30 Mexico       vs    USA   
26/03/13 20:30 Serbia         vs Scotland   
26/03/13 20:30   Chile     vs    Uruguay   
26/03/13 20:30 Turkey vs    Hungary   
26/03/13 20:30 Netherlands  vs    Romania   
26/03/13 20:30 Algeria    vs    Benin   
26/03/13 20:45 Belgium    vs    FYR Macedonia   
26/03/13 20:45 Malta    vs    Italy   
26/03/13 20:45Germany    vs    Kazakhstan   
26/03/13 20:45 Poland   vs    San Marino   
26/03/13 21:00Panama vs Honduras   
26/03/13 21:00 Azerbaijan vs Portugal   
26/03/13 21:00 Montenegro vs England   
26/03/13 21:00 Ukraine   vs    Moldova   
26/03/13 21:00 France   vs    Spain   

AYC U20 ALGERIA 2013: GHANA CONFRONT ALGERIA IN WINNER TAKES ALL TIE AS BENIN BANK ON SLIM CHANCE AGAINST EGYPT

TODAY AT THE AYC.........GROUP A DAY OF RECKONINING
March 22  17:30      Algeria              vs            Ghana                 Stade Omar Oucief, Aïn Témouchent
March 22  17:30      Benin                vs             Egypt                  Stade Ahmed Zabana, Oran
 GHANA CONFRONT ALGERIA IN WINNER TAKES ALL TIE
 AS BENIN BANK ON SLIM CHANCE AGAINST EGYPT

Orange CAF U-20 Championship 2013 hosts, Algeria play their third and final group match looking for all three points to entertain any hopes of reaching the semi-finals. The opposition in that match on Friday in Ain Temouchent will come from Ghana. The Black Satellites themselves need something out of the game if they are to make the semi-finals themselves. That said the stage is set for an interesting contest and the finals positions will also depend on the result from the other Group A match to be played in Oran at the same time where already qualified Egypt will play Benin.
Ghana will have to do without team captain, Lawrence Lartey who misses the match due to suspension. Satellites coach, Sellas Tetteh told Cafonline.com that he expects a tough match against Algeria who will have the proverbial 12th men with the home crowd.” I would have preferred to play the hosts with semi-final place secured, but we now have to do it the hard way. We know what is required from this final group match. I expect an open game with both teams going for a win. “ said Tetteh
Meanwhile local media was full of encouragement and advice to the home side. Many believed the Algerian side has a difficult but do-able task ahead of them. The overwhelming feeling is that the Fennecs should be patient and not too hasty in trying to score. The nation is urging the team, coached by Frenchman, Jean-Marc Nobilo to lift up the country’s spirit after last game’s defeat by arch-rivals, Egypt.
One thing certain is that Omar Oucief stadium in Ain Temouchent will be packed to the rafters with Algerians keen to see their team reach the semi-finals and secure a FIFA World Cup berth, a target Nobilo said he wanted to achieve before the tournament kicked off.

“There is a full game that we have to give of our best and try and get a positive result” said Nobilo. “Do l believe it is possible to win and qualify yes, is there pressure on me and the team, yes but this is football and that is the situation we find ourselves in, so we have to deal with it. I said last time that the third game against Ghana will decide our fate and this is the case, it’s in our hands now”
Algeria who are yet to score from two matches played so far will need to open their scoring account on Friday and will be hoping that striker Haddouche Zakaria and Ouali who went close a couple of times in the last matches will finally hit the back of the net. Fennecs defence marshalled by Ferhat will have to deal with the live-wire Ghanaian striker,  Ebenezer Assifuah. The forward has scored both Ghana’s total of two goals so far in the competition and he will be looking to adding on to that tally.  “We just have to do our part and win and then find the result from Benin/Egypt match but tomorrow’s game is very important for us and we have to deliver and not disappoint the fans again” said Nobilo. Algeria will be looking to beat Ghana and hope that Benin does not win against Egypt by a score line better than theirs.
Meanwhile Nothing is decided yet in the group as the battle for the second qualification ticket is wide open because victory for Benin today against the comfortable Egyptian will and good fortune of result in thier favour elsewhere in the group will see Benin through to the net round and to the world youth championshhip
Benin who go into the match on a point will be looking to win and hope that Algeria win too but an inferior score line to theirs. Should this be the case, Benin will join Egypt in the semis.  Before that happens Benin will have to be the first side to beat a well drilled Egyptian side at the tournament. Although already qualified, Egyptian captain and scorer of their goal against Algeria , Ramy Rabiaa said they would be going for their third win to boast their confidence even further as they enter the knock-out phase of the competition. “We want to continue with our winning ways and there will be no let –up against Benin. We play our normal football and play to win all the time, nothing will change from that on Friday” he said

Benin who are yet to score so far from their two games played will be hoping it’s third time luck for their side and another goalless outing for them will spell doom to their campaign. “ The beauty of it all is that we are still in with a chance to qualify and it depends on how we play against Egypt in the final group game” said Benin coach  Sedogbo Alohotade.

According to Alohotade the side has not been fortunate in front of goal but he wouldn’t fault his boys for commitment and their performance especially against Ghana where he felt they deserved something from the game. “ Should we play as well as we did in our last game and have a bit of luck on our side l would like to think anything is possible and we could come away with a positive result. We will not give up but fight to the end against Egypt” he said. Meanwhile his opposite number Egyptian, Rabei Yassin expressed his satisfaction with his team’s qualification to the semis and World Cup before the final group match and said he wants the team to carry on with that momentum.
ALL THE RESULTS IN THE GROUP SO FAR
Algeria    0     vs     Benin 0    Stade  Omar Oucief, Aïn Témouchent                   
Ghana     1     vs       Egypt 2    Stade   Omar Oucief, Aïn Témouchent
Ghana    1      vs      Benin 0     Stade    Omar Oucief, Aïn Témouchent
 Algeria  0     vs       Egypt 1      Stade    Omar Oucief, Aïn Témouchent