AFC Qualification U-23: West African countries dominate the final round

Sports News from Thursday, March 28, 2019

Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

2019-03-28

The third / final round of the UFA 2017 Africa Nations Cup under 23, hosted by Egypt 2019, was dominated by six West African countries.

And there are three countries in southern Africa while North Africa has two.

The African heavyweights of football, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon and Ivory Coast, have all qualified for the finals. Guinea-Mali will join them as five times in West Africa.

West Africa and North Africa will face each other in two matches, while Ghana and Cameroon will face Algeria and Tunisia respectively.

Representation of Southern Africa will be guaranteed at least after South Africa and Zimbabwe clash.

With most players graduating from the 2017 CAF Africa Cup of Nations under 20, Zambia's favorites are against Congo Brazaville, while DR Congo will face Mali.

Sudan will face a severe test against Nigeria while Côte d'Ivoire and Guinea will be an entirely West African affair.

The seven winners of these matches will join Egypt host tournament.

The top three countries will qualify for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, while the fourth country will play a match against an Asian country.

Gabon won Morocco's inaugural Under-23 tournament in 2011, and four years later Nigeria won its first title in Senegal.

Zambia was in the Senegal 2015 tournament but was eliminated from the group stage.

– 3rd ROUND FIXTURES-

South Africa v Zimbabwe

Zambia v Congo

Ghana v Algeria

Cameroon v Tunisia

Ivory Coast / Guinea

Sudan v Nigeria

DR Congo / Mali

First step: June 5th Second step: June 9th