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Page last updated at 16:07 GMT, Saturday, 24 January 2009

Nigeria, South Africa into AYC semis

Rwanda 2009 logo
Ghana and Cameroon qualify for the Under-20 World Cup

Nigeria and South Africa have joined Ghana and Cameroon in the semi-finals of the African Youth Championship in Rwanda.

In the final group matches on Sunday, Nigeria thrashed the Ivory Coast 3-0 while Egypt beat South Africa 2-1.

But the Egyptians - hosts of the 2009 Fifa World Youth Cup - missed out on a semi-final place on goal difference.

Rabiu Ibrahim, Chrisantus Macauley and skipper Haruna Lukman were on target for Nigeria's Flying Eagles as they brushed aside the hapless Ivorians.

On Saturday, Ghana's Black Satellites beat hosts Rwanda 2-0 at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali while across town at the Regional Stadium in Nyamirando Cameroon thrashed Mali 3-0.

Israel-based striker Ransford Osei scored both goals for Ghana in the second half to take his tally for the tournament to three.

Osei broke the deadlock in the 69th minute by leaving two markers in his wake before unleashing a fierce drive after being picked out by Dominic Adiyiah.

The Maccabi Haifa player doubled his side's lead 11 minutes later when he headed in a cross from defender Samuel Inkoom to secure their place in the next stage of the tournament.

Ghana's victory means they finish top of Group A and will face the runners-up from Group B, South Africa.

Cameroon finished second in Group A and will play the winners of Group B, Nigeria in the last four, with both semi-finals being played on Wednesday.

All four semi-finalists, plus Egypt, have also qualified for the World Youth Championship in September.

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see also
2009 African Youth Championship
22 Jan 09 |  African
Ghana youths win as Rwanda draw
21 Jan 09 |  African
Rwanda start under-20 with a win
18 Jan 09 |  African
SA go top as Egypt win in Kigali
22 Jan 09 |  African


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