THE GAMBIA produced the most eye-catching performance of the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations yesterday to qualify for the semi-finals, where they will face Nigeria’s Flying Eagles.
The Young Scorpions dismantled South Sudan 5-0 in Alexandria, Egypt to seal their spot in the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Indonesia and book a date with Nigeria in the AFCON last four.
Striker Adama Bojang was the undoubted star man at the El Hodoud Stadium, netting a hat-trick to send the Young Scorpions to the semi-finals.
Bojang broke the deadlock in the seventh minute before doubling his tally on 33 minutes. He completed his hat-trick two minutes after the restart.
“Scoring a hat-trick for my country is a big privilege. I scored the first and came back to score two more for my hat-trick so I am really excited, this is a really amazing feeling for me,” Bojang said after being named the Man of the Match.
“As a young lad coming to the tournament to show my talent and scoring a hat-trick for my country is amazing and a privilege.
“Today’s match was between us and the World Cup so we finally made it to the World Cup.”
The Gambia, who have now scored nine goals in four matches and conceded none, are up against a defensively solid Flying Eagles team.
Ladan Bosso’s side are not quite prolific, having scored just four goals in four games, but they are not letting in many, conceding only once, which was in their opening Group A defeat to Senegal.
The semi-final clash between the West Africans is billed for Monday at the Cairo International Stadium from 6pm Nigerian time.
The other semi-final is between Senegal and Tunisia at the Suez Canal Authority Stadium in Ismailia also Monday, with kick-off set for 3pm Nigerian time.
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