AFCON U20: Senegal thrash hosts Egypt as Nigeria book quarterfinal spot

High flying Senegal maintained their unbeaten start to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) U20 tournament ongoing in Egypt as they thrashed the hosts 4-0 to make it to the quarterfinals of the competition with a perfect 100% record.

In the match played at the Cairo Stadium, Pape Demba’s hat trick, the first of the tournament, propelled the Lions of Teranga to a comfortable victory that set Egypt packing out of the competition.

After a scoreless first half, Demba opened the scoring in the 59th minute before Ibou Sane doubled the lead ten minutes later.

Two goals in three minutes from Demba would then see Senegal run away with the contest as they topped the group on 9 points.

In the other Group A match, the Flying Eagles of Nigeria beat Mozambique 2-0 in Ismailia to qualify for the quarter-finals on Saturday night.

Ladan Bosso's charges scored two sumptuous goals in the first-half through Samson Lawal and Ibrahim Muhammad to secure second place in Group A.

The record seven time champions of the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations moved to six points following their second win in the group while Senegal top the group with nine points following their 4-0 thumping of host nation Egypt in Cairo.

The Nigerians broke the deadlock through Lawal on 32 minutes with a stupendous strike from distance to beat the helpless Kimiss Zavala.

The PRO Success Football Academy forward latched on to a quick interchange of passes between fullback Augustine Njoku and Haliru Sarki before beating Kimiss with a powerful strike.

The Flying Eagles doubled their lead four minutes before halftime through Muhammad's sumptuous strike from outside the area.

Muhammad Aminu cut in from the left to release the Cartagena FC striker who had a touch to set himself before beating Kimiss to make it 2-0, a result that the team held onto till full time to progress to the last eight.

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