AFCON U-17: Nigeria to face Senegal or South Africa in the semis?

The stage is set for AFCON U-17 quarterfinal matches after the completion of the Group games.

Nigeria will play against Burkina Faso, and South Africa who made the last eight with three points will face Senegal.

Hosts, Algeria will play against Northern African rivals, Morocco, while Mali and Congo will complete the quarterfinal fixtures.

In Group A, Senegal, Algeria, and Congo Dr. picked the last 8 tickets. Senegal won all of their games scoring 7 goals without conceding a goal.

Algeria on the other hand finished with 4 points to finish second, and Congo DR. with 2 points made it as one of the best losers.

In Group B, Morocco, Nigeria, and South Africa made it to the next round. Morocco finished top with 6 points, Nigeria also had 6 points.

But Morocco picked the top spot because of the head-to-head rule, their win against Nigeria on matchday two puts them on top.

Similarly, the South African brothers, South Africa, and Zambia finished with 3 points each but the young Bafana Bafana picked the ticket as one of the best losers because of the head-to-head rule.

In Group C, Mali and Burkina Faso picked the quarterfinal tickets. There were only three countries in this Group, Mali won both of their games, while Burkina Faso beat Cameroon to claim a berth against Nigeria.

AFCON U-17 Quarterfinal Fixtures, Date, and Time

Wednesday, May 10

Game 1 – Senegal v South Africa – 5 pm
Game 2- Morocco v Algeria – 8 pm

Thursday, May 11

Game 3- Mali v Congo – 5 pm
Game 4- Nigeria v Burkina Faso – 8 pm

AFCON U-17 Semifinal Fixtures, Date, and Time

Sunday, May 14
Game 5 – Winners of Game 1 v Winners of Game 4 – 5 pm
Game 6 – Winners of Game 2 v Winners of Game 3 – 8 pm

So, there could be a repeat of a clash between Nigeria and South Africa, or a tie against the tournament favourites, Senegal in the semifinal.