U-20 FOOTBALL
Gambia stuns France in U20 World Cup upset
In a historic and sensational display, the Gambian under–20 team sent shock waves through the U20 World Cup as they defeated France 2-1 on the second day of the group stage in Argentina on Thursday.
In doing so, they become the second African team to advance to the Round of 16 after that of Nigeria on Wednesday night.
The Young Scorpions showcased their determination and skill, outplaying their French counterparts and securing their second consecutive victory in the competition.
This momentous triumph not only propels Gambia into the round of 16 but also cements their status as a rising force in youth football.
Facing a French team eager to recover from their stumble against South Korea in the opening match, the Young Scorpions displayed aggressiveness right from the kickoff despite France’s early possession dominance,
Gambia seized their first real opportunity by capitalizing on a mistake by French goalkeeper Yvan Lienard.
It was Gambian midfielder Mohammed Jobe who pounced on Lienard’s poor clearance, swiftly passing the ball to his teammate Adama Bodjang inside the box. Bodjang’s shot deflected off French defender Tanguy Zoukrou and found its way into the net (13′).
This early breakthrough allowed Gambia to go into the halftime break with a well-deserved lead at Estadio Mendoza.
Returning for the second half, Abdoulai Bojang’s young prodigies refused to sit back and defend their advantage.
Their enterprising nature persisted, with Jobe causing havoc once again. In the 56th minute, Jobe was brought down in the French penalty area after intercepting a poorly cleared ball by the defense, earning Gambia a penalty.
However, French goalkeeper denied Gambia’s captain Alagie Saine the chance to extend their lead, redeeming himself on this occasion.
The missed penalty proved to be a regretful moment for Gambia, as France equalized four minutes later through a strike from Wilson Odobert.
Showing immense mental strength, Alagie Saine and his teammates remained focused on their ultimate goal—victory.
Their persistence paid off in the 65th minute when Mamin Sanyang, in a superb display of skill, maneuvered past the French defense before unleashing a powerful shot that beat Liénard.
Despite intense pressure from France in the remaining minutes, the scoreline remained unchanged, thanks to the disciplined and well-organized Gambian defense.
Making their return to the U20 World Cup for the first time since 2007, Gambia has announced its resurgence with two wins in two matches. They previously defeated Honduras by the same scoreline.
Having already secured their spot in the round of 16, the young Scorpions will now face South Korea in a decisive match for the top spot in Group F.
Gambia joins Nigeria as the second African nation to progress to the knockout stage, as Nigeria also claimed their second victory in two matches, triumphing over Italy 2-0 on Wednesday.
The Gambian under-20 team’s remarkable performance against France has reverberated throughout the football world, and their continued success in the U20 World Cup establishes them as a rising power, igniting hope and pride within their nation and inspiring a new generation of young footballers.
-Cafonline
Egypt’s Young Pharaohs suffered a 2-1 defeat to Nigeria’s Flying Eagles in a friendly match in Cairo on Tuesday.
Despite the result, Egypt’s head coach, Osama Nabih, said the match offered valuable insights and experience for his young squad, many of whom played at Cairo International Stadium for the first time.
“We faced a strong and organised team,” Nabih said in comments published by the Egyptian Football Association.
“Our players gained a lot from this match on the technical, tactical, and physical levels.”
Nigeria took an early lead before Egypt’s Ahmed Khaled, known as Kabaka, levelled the score in the 68th minute with a powerful strike.
However, the visitors were awarded a penalty in the 84th minute and converted it to seal the victory.
Nabih expressed confidence in his team’s development, noting that Egypt had created several scoring opportunities but lacked finishing.
“We controlled the game and had clear chances to win,” he said. “But inexperience cost us at key moments.”
Egypt are hosting the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations from 27 April to 18 May, with matches set to be played in Cairo and other cities.
The top four teams from the tournament will qualify for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile later this year.
The Young Pharaohs will begin their campaign against Zambia on 27 April. They were drawn in Group A alongside South Africa, Zambia, Sierra Leone, and Tanzania.
The Egyptian squad remains in a closed training camp in the New Administrative Capital in preparation for Sunday’s opener.
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U-20 FOOTBALL
Behold ! Junior Carthage Eagles who face Flying Eagles in the openingGroup B U20 Afcon
Tunisia return to the CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations with fresh ambition and a renewed focus on restoring their status in youth football.
Drawn into a highly competitive Group B alongside Nigeria, Morocco, and Kenya, the Carthage Eagles will be banking on their mix of local and Europe-based talent to make a deep run in Egypt 2025.
Coach Mejdi Traoui’s side is targeting a top-four finish and a place at the FIFA U-20 World Cup later this year. The team intends to reignite their youth football legacy.
Traoui prefers a 4-2-3-1 formation that encourages creative freedom in the final third, while maintaining defensive discipline through a solid midfield base.
The North African side will feature in the tournament’s 2025 edition in Egypt after gaining entry under unusual circumstances, but they are fully focused on making the most of the chance.
Tunisia have been drawn in Group B, alongside continental heavyweights Nigeria and Morocco, as well as a rapidly improving Kenya side.
Led by former international Mejdi Traoui, Tunisia bring a mix of domestic and European-based talent into the competition, hoping to reach the semi-finals and secure qualification for the FIFA U-20 World Cup later this year.
Egypt 2025 was anything but straightforward. After finishing third in the UNAF U-20 Championship—behind Egypt and Morocco—they initially missed out on automatic qualification.
However, when Côte d’Ivoire withdrew as hosts of the tournament, a spot opened up, and Tunisia were granted entry. During the UNAF qualifiers, Tunisia recorded victories over Libya and Algeria, but also showed defensive vulnerability, scoring and conceding five goals apiece.
The campaign revealed both their attacking promise and the need for greater consistency.
This marks Tunisia’s ninth appearance at the U-20 AFCON, with their first dating back to 1979. Their best result came in 1985, when they reached the final but fell short against Nigeria.
In recent years, Tunisia have twice finished in the semi-finals, earning fourth place and subsequently qualifying for the FIFA U-20 World Cup. Their history shows a team capable of competing at the highest level when they find their rhythm.
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Record-extending seekers, Nigeria Flying Eagles, will open their U20 AFCON account with a duel with Tunisia on May 1.
It will be their sixth clash since the era of Henry Nwosu, who led the Nigerian attack in a 4-0 defeat of Tunisia in Lagos on 27 December 1980.
But Tunisia, the last entrant into the current edition of the U20 AFCON, boast of some players who could wreak havoc.
One of such is Khalil Ayari, a 20-year-old winger from Stade Tunisien. He is known for his electric pace, one-on-one ability, and direct style of play. He offers a consistent threat down the flanks.
Another one is Louey Ben Farhat, a rising star based in Germany. The 18-year-old midfielder from Karlsruhe U-19 has scored 13 goals in 27 games this season. His creative passing and eye for goal make him a key figure in Tunisia’s midfield.
Yet another one is Youssef Becha, a winger with CS Sfaxien. He is a skilful dribbler who thrives in wide spaces. His agility and delivery from the wings could prove decisive in tight matches.
Those are players the Flying Eagles have to watch out for when they face Tunisia in Cairo on May 1.
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