Two goals from Striker, Moslem Anatouf of Algeria sent Somalia U17 back to the classrooms as the AFCON Total Energy U17 Group A opened at the Nelson Mandala Stadium in Algiers on Saturday night.
Anatouf opened the score sheet in the 22nd minute and through a Ferhat Deloveau assist made it two at the 52nd minute to make the Foxes of Algeria climb to number one position in Group A pending the Cub Lions of Senegal and the Congo boys encounter on Sunday afternoon.
Somalia looked good to carry the day but were victims of soccer naivety as the team squandered opportunities of dominating the match through 57 – 47 ball possession and 437 passes of which 80% were stringed accurately against Algeria’s 392 passes with 81% stringed accurately. Meaning the Somalians was in control.
It showed that the Somalians lacked finishing from 10 shots at goal to which only 3 were on target whereas Algeria had 15 shots making 7 shots on target. Algeria had 6 corner kicks to Somalia’s 2; Algeria were caught with 21 foul calls against 18 while 2 yellow cards went to Algeria and only one to Somalia.
Three matches are slated for tomorrow. Senegal cubs will test strength with Congo at 1400 hours before the Golden Eaglets will open the Group B stage against Zambia at 1700 hours at the Mohammed Hamlaou Stadium in Constantine and then it will be Morocco versus South Africa at 2000 hours also at the same venue.
Nigeria is seeking to lift the trophy for the 3rd time through Group B. Zambia has never reached the Semifinal.
Morocco’s best was losing the highest goals of penalties ever at U17 10-11 to Tunisia after 1-1 in 2013 at the Losers Match when the country hosted.
South Africa’s best losing in the 2015 final in Niger Republic to Mali 0-2 but lost at Gambia 2005 0-1 to Ivory Coast in the 3rd place match.
Nigeria has an enviable record of lifting the world U17 cup four times.
Eniola Olatunji reporting for Patmos Media Line.
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