The moment of the truth upon African sides

Nigeria, Senegal, Egypt and Madagascar get into semifinals, where they will face for a FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2011 berth

Senegal knock Côte d’Ivoire out and get into semifinals

Current FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup – Africa Qualifier runner ups, Côte d’Ivoire, will not be allowed the chance of fighting to retain, or improve, that register. Senegal, who seem into a great shape this edition, were their  executioners , kicking them out of the race thanks to a comeback from 1-2 to 3-2 that secures them a place in tomorrow’s semifinals, where they will have the chance to play, all or nothing, for a ticket to Ravenna.

Things turned quite difficult for the Senegalese side when, being 1-2 down, their top star Koukpaki was sent off after elbowing his marker in a jump. Despite the undeniable weight of the powerful forward in the team – he himself had managed the first equalizer after Daouda’s firs hit-, the Lions of Teranga have loads of skill to lean on, and players such as Fall, Sylla or Ndour have powder enough to make Koukpaki’s absence remain almost unnoticed.

Côte d’Ivoire kept leading by the end of the second period after Ludovic’s hit, but that three points were not enough to secure the Elephants a place in the semifinals, since their scant goal-average, would hardly make them the best second. Unfortunately for them, though, these speculations would become absolutely meaningless when Ndour and Fall changed things drastically with the final 3-2, that sends Senegal straight to the semifinal stage and leaves Côte d’Ivoire out of the road.

Goals: 0-1: Daouda, min. 6 (1); 1-1: Koukpaki, min. 3 (1); 2-1: Ludovic, min. 3 (2); 2-2: Ndour, min. 9 (3); 3-2: Fall, min. 1 (3)

Nigeria give South Africa no chance

Nigeria played their role as current continental champions and secured their berth in semifinals with a loud victory over South Africa. After their defeat yesterday to Madagascar, The Bafana-bafana needed a wide triumph to dream about getting to the next stage as the best second, but things pointed from the beginning that they seemed destined to succumb against the Green Eagles. At least, that was the feeling after Shehu and Olawale unbalanced the score to a 2-0 in the first minutes of the game.

Mbehele voiced the shy reaction by the South Africans with a long-range attempt, managing a momentary 2-1 which lasted until the first break. But right from the second, Nigeria took control of the game again, and punished their opponents with 4 goals in three minutes that set things really clear. Again, South Africa wanted to stand up after the heavy stroke and Coles first, and Penn, afterwards, managed a 6-3 that could light something in their spirits.

But that was just the opposite idea than the one in Nigerians’ heads, and Abu and Olawale, with his fourth goal today, amended things for the Central African before they could have something to regret. Although the last hit by Coles, no one would prevent Nigeria from heading to the match that could send them to the World Cup again this year.

Goals: 1-0: Shehu, min. 11 (1); 2-0: Olawale, min. 7 (1); 2-1: Mbehele, min. 6 (1); 3-1: Najere, min. 6 (2); 4-1: Olawale, min.6  (2)  5-1: Ibenegbu, min. 4 (2); 6-1: Olawale, min. 4 (2); 6-2: Coles, min. 3 (2); 6-3: Penn, min. 9 (3);  7-3: Abu, min. 8 (3); 8-3: Olawale, min. 5 (3); 8-4: Coles: min. 2 (3)

Egypt shatter Morocco’s expectations and goes on to semifinals

Morocco’s fans and players were pored a bucket of cold water over their heads when seeing Egypt shut the doors to semifinals in the last group match in this FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2011 – Africa Qualifier held in Casablanca. Although many expectations were placed on this tournament, the Moroccans will have to wait for another chance to see the way to the World Cup a little clearer.

Egypt managed the match with sobriety. They achieved an early opener and read the game accordingly. Playing ahead in the score, and with seconds passing by on their profit, Egypt made the most of the hosts’ need think only about attack. Actually, from that very moment on, Morocco tried and tried to break the Egyptian resistance, to only find their rivals take advantage of that with goosebumping counterattacks. In one of those, Aly found the way to the Moroccan net again for the 2-0, what set all alarms in El Hadaoui’s team.

They just needed one goal to get into semifinals as the best second, but it seemed that it they would never going to be graced with it. And they weren’t. Instead, Egypt widened the gap even further, and that 0-3 seemed too much. Nothing worked today for Morocco, who saw Egypt snatching their chance to fight for a World Cup berth.

Goals: 0-1: Aly, min. 6 (1); 0-1: Aly, min. 2 (1); 0-3: Moustafa, min. 3(2);

Matches today:

Friday, June 17th

15:45- Senegal 3 – 2 Côte d’Ivoire

17:00- Nigeria 8 – 4 South Africa

18:15- Morocco 0 – 3 Nigeria

Matches for tomorrow

Saturday, June 17th

15:45- Libya – Côte d’Ivoire (7th/8th place)

17:00- Nigeria – Madagascar (Semifinal 1)

18:15- Senegal – Egypt (Semifinal 2)

Standings

Group A

Group B

Group C

Nigeria, Senegal, Egypt and Madagascar (As best second) get into semifinals