A new continental champion will be crowned at the ongoing Algeria 2023 African U-17 Cup of Nations following cup holders, Cameroon’s failure to qualify for the quarterfinals of the competition, which begins tomorrow.

The group stage of the competition ended on Sunday with Cameroon crashing out after finishing bottom of Group C with no point. The quarterfinals will begin at the Nelson Mandela Stadium, Algiers, where Senegal, who topped Group A with a 100 per cent record, will meet South Africa. It would be followed by the Maghreb battle between Morocco and Algeria in Constantine. Algeria won Group A, while Morocco topped Group B.

Nigeria will take to the pitch on Thursday, when they battle with Group B’s runners up, Burkina Faso, in Algiers, while Annaba will host the game between two-time champions, Mali and Congo, the other of the best two third placed teams. Mali had a perfect record in Group C where they topped with a maximum two wins.

Winners of the quarterfinals automatically qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup before aiming for the trophy.

The semifinals will pit winners of QF1 (Senegal v S’Africa) against QF4 winner (Nigeria v Burkina Faso) at the Mohamed Hamlaoui Stadium, Constantine and QF2 winner (Algeria v Morocco) against QF3 winner (Mali v Congo) on May 19, 1956 Stadium, Annaba. Both semifinals will hold on May 14.
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