ChileU20MWC: Morocco Shock world Football Giants 2-0 in Group C Cracker.
…Nigeria Says NO WAY to Norway in their meeting on Monday at 2100 Hours.
Africa on Sunday night at the 24th edition of the world U20 male football tournament in Chile shocked world football giants, Spain when the Atlas Lions of Morocco beat La Rojita in a group C opening cracker 2-0.
Arrow head Striker for Morocco, Yassir Zabiri opened the scores sheet in the 54th minute after a goalless first half from a thorough pass given by Gessime Yassime. Yassime sealed victory for Morocco in the 58th minute when defender Maama Ali floated a pass to him. VAR denied Spain what would have been a consolatory goal by rejecting a penalty award in the 79th minute.
Spain that dominated the first half piled pressure on Morocco with good and accurate passes of 10-3; better ball possession but the goals refused to come instead attempts by Spain to play physical football typical with African teams met with equal resistance that made both teams receive 2-2 yellow cards.
Brazil was meeting Mexico in group C as at the time of filing this report.
The Atlas Lions of Morocco is on her 3rd appearance at the mundial and had a podium finish at the 2005 finals in Netherland where she lost the Bronze to Brazil 1-2 in the tournament where Nigeria lost to the star studded Argentina in the finals also 1-2. Morocco lost the semifinal to Nigeria 0-3.
The La Rojita (Little Red One) of Spain had 14 appearances and lifted the title once in Nigeria 1999 when she beat Japan 4-0 though she placed 4th at Qatar 1995 when she lost the battle of the Bronze medal to Portugal 2-3 and also lost the battle for the Gold medal at UAE 2003 by a lone goal to Brazil.
Egypt had lost to Japan 0-2 yesterday at the Estadio Nacional Julio in Pradanos when Japanese Defender, Rion Ichilara scored from the penalty spot in the 29th minute and Hisaatsugu Ishii got an assist from left wing player, Shunsuka Saito to score in the 48th minute.
Two other African teams South Africa and the Flying Eagles of Nigeria will play at 2100 hours Nigerian time later on Monday with South Africa battling France in group E and Nigeria promising ‘No WAY’to Norway in group F.
Samba boys of Brazil are meeting Mexico in group C right now the time Argentina is facing Cuba in group D while at midnight of tomorrow Monday it will be Columbia versus Saudi Arabia in group F where Nigeria belongs and at that time USA will trade tackles with New Caledonia in group E.
Only yesterday did hosts Chile beat New Zealand 2-1 in group A where Egypt is making Egypt to now top group A. Paraguay clipped Panama 3-2 in group B and South Korea lost 1-2 to war torn Ukraine also in group B.
Africa is contesting for honors at the 24th edition of the world U20 male football tournament starting in Chile from Sunday 27th September and to run till 17th October with 24 teams from six confederations fighting for honors in four cities of Chile.
Ghana is the only African team that has ever won the world U20 trophy. Ghana and Nigeria won Silver twice each. Africa won Bronze five times through Mali that got it twice; Egypt once; Ghana once and Nigeria once.
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Africa also placed 4th thrice through Ghana, Morocco and Senegal. Nigeria is the only country from Africa that won the Fair Play trophy at Columbia 2011.
The two topmost group leaders automatically qualify for the Knockout stages while four lucky losers will be picked from 3rd place positions.
The reigning champions, Uruguay is missing to defend their title as the country was ousted from the qualification rounds of the South America confederation. They are the 8th defending champions who failed to qualify to defend their title.
Eniola Olatunji reporting for Patmos Media Line.
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