Zambia, Burkina Faso and South Africa got their AFCON U17 campaigns underway in style, recording convincing wins as the 20th edition entered its 2nd day in Morocco yesterday.
Zambia thrashed East African representatives Tanzania 4-1 in group A fixture staged at the El Buchir stadium in Mohammedia.
Jonathan Kalimina opened the scoring for the young Chipolopolo with an 8th-minute goal before Abel Nyirongo doubled the lead in the 45th minute as they headed into the interval with a comfortable 2-0 lead.
Mike Mutale put the match beyond the reach of the Tanzanians with a 3rd goal 11 minutes from the final whistle before Juma Sagwe pulled one back for the East Africans in the 5th minute of extra time.
No sooner had they scored their consolation goal than Zambia added salt to the injury with a 4th goal a minute later.
Zambia lies 2nd in Group A on equal points with hosts Morocco, who enjoy a superior goal difference after walloping Uganda 5-0 in the tournament opener.
In Group B, Burkina Faso saw off their neighbours Cameroon 2-1 at the 30,000-seater Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca.
Asharaf Tapsoba put Burkina Faso ahead just 19 minutes into the game before he completed his brace in the 41st minute.
David Nyangono reduced the deficit for the Cameroonians in the 75th minute, but it was too little, too late for a comeback as the Young Stallions held on to register a victory.
The last day two match saw an epic battle between South Africa and Egypt in a fierce Group B encounter at the Larbi stadium in Casablanca.
The high-scoring match produced a total of 7 goals, six of which were shared equally between the two sides in the first stanza.
Simphiwe Mlondo put South Africa ahead within the 1st minute before Anas Roshdi restored parity for the Young Pharaohs 3 minutes later and added a 2nd in the 13th minute.
Al Ahly Hamza Abdelkarim extended Egypt’s lead with a 3rd goal in the 18th minute before Kaizer Chief’s talisman Neo Bohloko converted two spot kicks in the 27th and 43rd minutes, respectively, as the 1st half ended level 3-3.
Bohloko, who was named the man of the match, provided an assist for Emile Witbooi, who secured victory for the South Africans in the 75th minute.
Four matches will be on the card today as groups C and D are set to complete the 1st round matches.
Defending champions Senegal will entertain the Gambia. In Group C at 5pm before Angola takes on Mali in the Group D opener from 8pm, which will be played concurrently with a Group C open match pitting Tunisia against Somalia.
Ivory Coast will wrap up day three action as they battle the Central African Republic.
The best 10 teams from the tournament, which will conclude on the 19th of this month, will represent Africa at the FIFA U17 World Cup later this year in Qatar.
