The second round of matches at the FIFA U15 World Cup and Festival in Azerbaijan brought further success for Africa, with Cote d’Ivoire and Mali recording emphatic victories.
Cote d’Ivoire produced one of the day’s biggest results by beating Rwanda 5-0 at the Hovsan sports complex in Baku. The Elephanteaux took control early, scoring twice in the space of two minutes through Willi Otokore in the ninth minute and Okoma Kouassi in the 10th.
Dramane Diarrassouba added a third in the 23rd minute before Amara Kone and Junior Soumahoro completed the scoring in the 32nd and 36th minutes respectively.
Mali were even more convincing, overwhelming Botswana 7-1. Alhassane Haidara struck three times, scoring in the seventh, 18th and 27th minutes, while Mohamed Diawara added a brace in the ninth and 25th minutes.
Seydou Sinayoko also scored twice, finding the net in the 28th and 38th minutes as Mali completed a commanding opening performance.
Guinea began their campaign with a 2-1 victory over Canada. Seydouba Camara gave them the lead in the ninth minute and Naby Sylla doubled their advantage eight minutes later.
Madagascar also claimed a win in an all-African contest, beating neighbouring Mozambique 2-0. Toky Razafiarimanana opened the scoring in the 19th minute, with Francisco Fanomezanjanahary adding the second in the 29th.
The results continued a strong start for Africa in the inaugural FIFA U15 World Cup and Festival, which is being played in an eight-a-side format. The tournament gives young players from around the world the opportunity to face international opposition.
Earlier victories for African teams had included Algeria’s 1-0 win over Argentina, Cameroon’s 3-0 success against Senegal and Morocco’s 2-0 victory over the Philippines.
The Comoros also made a winning start by defeating Montserrat 3-1, with Abdallah Salim scoring twice.
Mauritania edged past Vanuatu 1-0, while Niger claimed a 2-1 victory against Chad.
All of Saturday’s matches were played at the Hovsan sports complex in Baku, where the African teams continued to make an impact in the competition’s opening phase.
