Today : Cote d`Ivoire - Gambia 0-1 Congo - Burkina Faso 1-0 Congo and Gambia ready for semifinal and World Cup !
Wackiness in Group B: At halftime, Cameroon leads Nigeria 2-0 (on channel 677 if you have comcast in the DC area), and Zambia leads Egypt 2-0. If these hold Zambia would top the group and Nigeria would fnish second on goal difference over Egypt.
Full time: Cameroon 2-0 Nigeria Zambia 3-0 Egypt Zambia and Nigeria qualify for the U-20 World Cup Semi matchups: Gambia vs. Nigeria Zambia vs. Congo
Don't know how many people here got to see Zambia-Egypt. It was awesome. Zambia simply demolished them. The score could have been much worse: Zambia were coasting in the second half and still hit the crossbar twice. Beautiful beautiful football. The star of the team is Clifford Mulenga, who has already seen some action with the senior side.
I've uploaded the goals from the Nigeria-Egypt match--sorry about the poor quality but I'm really just doing this to test out options on my new camera. Egypt's goal: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUoO5h97x3U Nigeria's goal: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mLfxjhBLDQ
From the reports on Brann's hp, Tijan Jaiteh has impressed for Gambia. Good stuff! I haven't gotten to see him play for Brann's a-team yet, so I'm very interested to hear if any of you here has seen him in action?
Jaiteh does look pretty good. He's very tall, but has surprising touch and skill for his height. He's still very skinny and needs to bulk up, though. He operated as an attacking midfielder just behind the two strikers in Gambia's diamond midfield. He was good today against Nigeria but not as good as earlier in the tournament, although he did better late when it was 10 on 10 and there was lots of space. Unfortunately his forward Mansally couldn't finish anything and Gambia went out.
Congo wins the final 1-0 on a second-half goal by Ibara...appropriately grainy video clips to follow...
Congo goal: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qj2L1QM_JRY Congo celebration: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2LpHGpD_uw
Ibara was the best player of a tournament that was mediocre at best, and usually much worse than that. He's not a completel player yet because he tends to have terrible final passes and crosses, but he was constantly a threat on Congo's left flank and he gave himself enough chances to score a couple key goals. As for the rest of it - mostly disappointing. Nigeria were awful, despite making the final. Defensive issues, no imagination going forward, just not fun to watch at all or effective. They hit 4 in the opener (which I didn't see) and then only got 2 free kicks the rest of the way. They were lucky to beat Gambia after Gambia outplayed them up and down the field but couldn't finish at all. And then they looked like they just didn't care against Congo in the final. I bet there will be massive changes to the squad before the u20 world cup this summer. Gambia play well together and have some decent skill, and were probably the best team here. They just couldn't finish against Nigeria, though (and it was a tournament with generally awful finishing altogether) despite having all the chances. Jallow and Jaiteh will have decent European careers, and they were missing Ceesay, their best player, who has been injured. They're still absurdly young, but they pulled a shocker against Brazil two years ago in Peru, so who knows what can happen in Canada. Zambia were fantastic against Cameroon and Egypt and very good against Congo, but again couldn't finish their chances. They could actually be competitive in Canada. As usual, the host team won an Africa tournament (it's almost automatic these days, as long as the host is somewhat competent). In no way was Congo the best team here, but they made the plays and rode home-field advantage. Most likely they'll get destroyed in Canada.
I agree with much of what Dwbakke said. There was no standout team, except Zambia when they were on form. Congo weren't the best team there, and had some help from the referees (particularly against Burkina Faso), but won both the semifinal and final fairly. What struck me was the absolutely incredible number of exaggerated injuries. Every few minutes someone was being taken off on a stretcher, and I can't recall one of them that had to be substituted. Oh, and none of the keepers seemed to be able to hold onto the ball. As for what will happen in Canada--Gambia's style is more direct and physical than the other teams', which may give them the edge at top level. Zambia will dazzle but probably fail to make the second round, Congo will play decently and exit early. Nigeria will probably have a new coach, so it's tough to say what they'll do.
So did Congo announce its squad for the U20 WC in Ca.? I ask because they're in the same group as my country--Chile. Here's Chile's squad: GKs Christopher Toselli (U. Católica) Nery Veloso (Huachipato) Ronald Valladares (Fdez. Vial) Defenders Cristián Suárez (San Felipe) Hans Martínez (U. Católica) Nicolás Larrondo (U. de Chile) Eric Godoy (S. Wanderers) Cristián Sepúlveda (U. Española) Mids Mauricio Isla (U. Católica) Gary Medel (U. Católica) Carlos Carmona (Coquimbo) Arturo Vidal (Colo Colo) Isaías Peralta (U. Española) Gerardo Cortés (D. Concepción) Juan Pablo Arenas (Colo Colo) Dagoberto Currimilla (Huachipato) Strikers Nicolás Medina (U. de Chile) Alexis Sánchez (Colo Colo) Mathías Vidangossy (U. Española) Jaime Grondona (S. Wanderers) Michael Silva (S. Wanderers). Metro
You mean AYC 2007? There was no Nations Cup in 07. Congo '07 squads are available at http://www.cafu20.com/?lng=1&opt=93115
Henry Nyambe Mulenga - Zambia He has since earned a call-up to the national team as a central defender, only 20 years old. Was transferred in the off-season from Forest Rangers to league champions Zesco United and started in CAF Champions League matches.