Morocco, hosts Egypt set up mouthwatering AFCON U20 semi-final clash

Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) U-20 defending champions Senegal has been knocked out of the tournament after going down 3-1 in post-match penalties to Nigeria in the first quarter-final match staged at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia, Egypt on Monday.

After a barren draw in normal and extra time, Nigeria goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt was the match-decider after parting away with two penalties with another Senegal effort hitting the post.

In another quarter-final clash at the 30th June Stadium in Cairo, Morocco secured a place in the last four after a slim 1-0 extra time win over Sierra Leone.

Substitute Ilias Boumassoudi scored the winning goal in the 115th minute to take Morocco to the last four.

“Facing Egypt will be a difficult match because we know them. They have character and (are) good physically which will give us a good challenge,” said Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi.

Elsewhere, hosts Egypt overcame their poor group stage form to eliminate Ghana 5-4 through post-match penalties after a 2-2 draw in regular and extra time at the Suez Stadium.

Egypt will entertain Morocco in the second semi-final on Thursday at the 30th June Stadium in Cairo, as Nigeria will clash with South Africa who defeated DRC 1-0 in the 109th minute.

All four semi-finalists have already booked their place in the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup to be staged in Chile in September.