After storming out of their respective groups as winners and runners-up, the trainers of Nigeria, Mali, Guinea and South Africa have now set their eyes on winning the continental junior championship.
Coaches Emmanuel Amunike of Nigeria, Baye Ba of Mali, South Africa coach Molefi Petrus Ntseki and Guinea's Hamidou Camara all expressed delight with their side's semi-final berths, positions that booked them places at the FIFA Under-17 finals in Chile in October this year.
But having attained the world cup feat, they are now looking to spicing-up the world cup delight by conquering Africa.
Coaches Emmanuel Amunike of Nigeria, Baye Ba of Mali, South Africa coach Molefi Petrus Ntseki and Guinea's Hamidou Camara all expressed delight with their side's semi-final berths, positions that booked them places at the FIFA Under-17 finals in Chile in October this year.
But having attained the world cup feat, they are now looking to spicing-up the world cup delight by conquering Africa.
The Golden Eaglets and Amajimbos clash in the first of the semi-finals at the Stade Seyni Kountche as what has been a thrilling tournament enters the final stretch.
The Eaglets have been impressive and skipper Nwakali Kelechi, joint leading scorer so far with three goals, should remain pivotal with his solid midfield displays. He comes up against the enterprising skills of Amajimbos captain Nelson Maluleke whose excellent foot-work and knack for goals has been influential for a South African side that started slowly but has grown in stature and confidence as the games unfolded.
In the second semi-final on Thursday, also at the Stade Seyni Kountche, Mali and Guinea will battle in what is anticipated to be tough and exhilarating West African derby. Mali, led by the dazzling skills of Sidiki Maiga complimented by the power and inventive skills of playmaker and joint leading scorer Boubacar Traore, the pace of Ousmane Traore, Mamadou Fofana and a solid backline anchored around skipper Abdoul Karim Dante and Mamadou Sangare should serve for a cracking semi-final against the wealth of talents in the juniors of the Syli Nationale.
In the midfield flair and mesmerizing dribbling kills of Abdoul Karim Konte, Guinea have a star in the making who shone in the group stages and carrying that form to this stage and partnering with Sam Diallo, speedy winger Abdoulaye Jules Keita, the power and hard work of Yamadou Toure and Naby Bangoura, should give them a good reason to believe they have as much a chance of making the final as Mali does.
Semi-Final fixtures:
Wednesday 25 February
15:00 GMT Nigeria vs South Africa
Thursday 26 February
15:00 GMT Mali vs Guinea
The Eaglets have been impressive and skipper Nwakali Kelechi, joint leading scorer so far with three goals, should remain pivotal with his solid midfield displays. He comes up against the enterprising skills of Amajimbos captain Nelson Maluleke whose excellent foot-work and knack for goals has been influential for a South African side that started slowly but has grown in stature and confidence as the games unfolded.
In the second semi-final on Thursday, also at the Stade Seyni Kountche, Mali and Guinea will battle in what is anticipated to be tough and exhilarating West African derby. Mali, led by the dazzling skills of Sidiki Maiga complimented by the power and inventive skills of playmaker and joint leading scorer Boubacar Traore, the pace of Ousmane Traore, Mamadou Fofana and a solid backline anchored around skipper Abdoul Karim Dante and Mamadou Sangare should serve for a cracking semi-final against the wealth of talents in the juniors of the Syli Nationale.
In the midfield flair and mesmerizing dribbling kills of Abdoul Karim Konte, Guinea have a star in the making who shone in the group stages and carrying that form to this stage and partnering with Sam Diallo, speedy winger Abdoulaye Jules Keita, the power and hard work of Yamadou Toure and Naby Bangoura, should give them a good reason to believe they have as much a chance of making the final as Mali does.
Semi-Final fixtures:
Wednesday 25 February
15:00 GMT Nigeria vs South Africa
Thursday 26 February
15:00 GMT Mali vs Guinea
By Cafonline.com
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