~ Incredible drama as Algeria qualify following drawing of lots, while Mali and Senegal also secure tickets to Qatar showpiece.
"VAN" (Sports Desk - 21.05.2016) :: There was remarkable drama as Mali, Senegal and Algeria clinched spots at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026™ after reaching the knockout rounds of the ongoing U-17 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
The final set of results in Group D led to a drawing of lots between Algeria and Ghana to decide who would finish runners-up behind Senegal – and therefore secure an automatic place at the U-17 World Cup and reach the U-17 AFCON last eight.
The Senegalese beat Algeria 2-1 to bank top spot, with Ghana overcoming South Africa 3-1. Those results meant Algeria and Ghana were locked on four points, as well as having an identical goal difference with five goals scored and four conceded. The teams could also not be separated on their head-to-head record as they drew their match 2-2.
Algeria struck lucky in the drawing of lots, meaning they will advance to the AFCON quarters and compete in the Qatar showpiece, which will take place from 19 November to 13 December.
All is not lost for Ghana, however. By finishing third, they will advance to a U-17 World Cup play-off against Uganda on Saturday, with the winners securing a berth at the global finals.
In Group C, meanwhile, Mali joined Tanzania as qualifiers after defeating the Tanzanians 2-1 thanks to a first-half brace from Abdoulaye Toure.
It is the eighth time that Mali have reached the U-17 World Cup, their best finish coming as runners-up in 2015. In the group's other contest, Mozambique edged Angola, 2-1, to clinch a third-place finish and a spot in Saturday's play-off against Ethiopia, with the winner of that affair advancing to Qatar 2026. Allan de Figueiredo and Charif Carlos scored for The Mambas.
Cr-FIFA2026
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