Cameroon and Guinea needed penalties to qualify for the final of the ongoing CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations. Guinea and nine time African champions Nigeria fought out a goalless draw after regulation time and could only be separated after a marathon sequence of penalty kicks. Both teams converted all their spot kicks until Nigeria’s Ogaga Oduko blazed his attempt over bar, handing the Guineans a 10-9 win.
The result was just reward for Guinea who dominated the match in regulation time. The Syli Cadets are now assured of U$5000 each which had been promised by their government if they reached the final. Guinea finished third at the 1995, 2015 and 2017 editions of the U-17 finals and have now qualified for the final for the first time.
After the match coach of Guinea U17 Mohammed Camara has expressed delight over the feat. “I am very happy because I am making history. It’s the first time Guinea is playing at the final of an AFCON,” he said.
“I am very happy because Nigeria also deserves to win especially winning against a mighty team of Nigeria with such a great coach with such great experience who proved himself at the world stage in 2013.
“For me, it’s a great day, it’s a great honour and I am very satisfied.”
Guinea will face Cameroon in the final after they also needed penalties to beat Angola 4-3 after the other semi final also ended goalless with Cameroon going a man down after losing captain Fabrice Ndzie Mezama just two minutes into the second half.
Nigeria will now face Angola in the third-place match at the National Stadium in Dar es Salam on Saturday, April 27 while Cameroon will take on Guinea in the final on Sunday April 28. Both teams previously met in the group stage with Cameroon winning 2-0.
All four semi-finalists have qualified to represent Africa at the U-17 FIFA World Cup to take place in Brazil in November.