Mozambique kept their FIFA U-17 World Cup hopes alive after securing a dramatic 2-1 victory over Angola to finish third in Group C at the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
The result ensured the young Mambas booked a place in the World Cup play-offs, offering them one final route to qualification despite missing out on a quarter-final place.
The final round of group-stage matches produced contrasting emotions across the continent, with Mali and Tanzania sealing direct qualification for both the U-17 World Cup and the AFCON quarter-finals.
Ghana’s Black Starlets were left to reflect on what might have been despite finally claiming their first win of the tournament.
Mozambique entered their decisive clash against Angola knowing only victory would keep their tournament alive.
They delivered under pressure to finish third in Group C with four points, behind group winners Tanzania and second-placed Mali.
For Angola, the defeat brought a disappointing campaign to an end.
After opening the tournament with a 1-1 draw against Mali, the young Palancas Negras suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat to Tanzania before losing to Mozambique in their final outing, ending the competition without a single win.
Earlier in the day, Mali and Tanzania contested the standout fixture in Group C, with both sides already close to qualification.
Mali made the perfect start as star striker Abdoulaye Touré struck after only three minutes to hand the Young Eagles an early advantage.
The Malian forward continued his impressive form by scoring again in the 41st minute, completing a dominant first-half performance from the West Africans.
Tanzania improved after the break and managed to pull a goal back through Hassan Mkindai in the 82nd minute, but Mali held on for a 2-1 victory.
Despite the defeat, Tanzania still finished top of Group C with six points thanks to their earlier victories.
Both teams advanced comfortably to the quarter-finals and also secured automatic qualification for the FIFA U-17 World Cup, representing another major achievement for youth football in East and West Africa.
In Group D, Ghana produced one of their best performances of the tournament but unknown if they had done enough to reach the knockout stage.
The Black Starlets defeated South Africa 3-1 in an entertaining encounter, recording their first win of the competition.
Joseph Narbi scored twice for Ghana, while Augustine Appiah added the third goal in a commanding attacking display.
The victory lifted Ghana onto four points, level with Algeria.
Instead, the Black Starlets must now prepare for the World Cup play-offs as they attempt to extend their campaign.
Senegal finished top of Group D with six points, underlining their status as one of the favourites for the title, while Algeria claimed the other automatic quarter-final place with four points.
South Africa ended the group with three points after suffering defeat against Ghana in their final match.
The latest results continue to highlight the growing competitiveness of African youth football, with nations from different regions battling for limited places at the expanded FIFA U-17 World Cup.
