Already qualified, Morocco continued their clear course by winning a third victory in a row against Congo (1-0), while Guinea validated their ticket to the semi-finals thanks to their draw against Ghana ( 1-1). Egypt and Mali also join the last four after their respective victories against Gabon (2-0) and Niger (2-0).
The last square of this CAN U23 is now known. Morocco will face Mali while Egypt will be opposed to Guinea, on July 4, to designate the finalists of this 2023 African Cup of Nations under 23.
Already guaranteed to play the semi-finals at the end of the second day, Morocco concluded this group stage with a clear round on Friday June 30 by winning by a short header against Congo (1-0 ), whose fate was already sealed. With a reshuffled team and executives left to rest, like their indispensable captain Ez Abde, the Atlas Cubs quickly took the lead thanks to Younes Taha (7th, 0-1), whose deflected shot found the net and allowed him to score his first goal for his first start of the competition. Dominating, the Moroccans were never really worried and could have increased the score several times without the decisive parades of Simon Samba. They conclude this group stage with a third victory in as many matches.
Surprise in the other match of the group, with the elimination of Ghana after its draw against Guinea (1-1). While the Black Meteors absolutely needed a victory to qualify for the semi-finals, they were unable to maintain their advantage acquired thanks to a good ball served by Abdul Fatawu Issahaku to Emmanuel Yeboah (33rd, 0-1) . But on the hour mark, the Syli came back to score thanks to the equalizer of Ibrahima Fofana (61st, 1-1), author of a volley at the entrance to the surface on a ball pushed back into the axis by the Ghanaian defence. This draw allows the Guineans to overtake Ghana on the wire and qualify for the last four thanks to a better goal difference.
Egypt and Mali qualified in Group B
Everything could still happen in Group B between Niger, Egypt and Mali, who could each still qualify for the semi-finals after the last two matches of this last day, this Saturday, July 1.
Defending champions, the Egyptians won against Gabon (2-0) but their victory took a long time to emerge against the last of the group, already eliminated and who left the competition without any victory. The red card received by Roy Mbongui at the end of the first period (42nd) buried all hope of success for the Gabonese even before halftime. It was not until the very end of the game that Mahmoud Saber found the fault by taking a corner played at ground level and poorly followed by the Gabonese defense (82nd, 0-1). Osama Faisal then increased the score in added time by converting a penalty (90th + 2, 0-2). This success allows the Pharaohs to finish at the top of the group and qualify for the last four.
The last place in the semi-finals was played between Niger and Mali, and the Aiglons won their ticket for the semi-finals for the first time in their history by winning the clash against the Nigeriens (2-0). Mamadou Sangaré opened the scoring on a penalty to unlock the match after the break (49th, 0-1), and Ibrahima Cissé did not go far from doubling the bet with a ball which grazed the right post of the Nigerian goalkeeper (74th ). It was ultimately Cheickna Doumbia who ensured victory in Mali in the final minutes (90th, 0-2).
► Results and program of CAN U23