World Under-17 champions, the Golden Eaglets, will on Saturdaybattle Guinea in the third place match at the ongoing African Cadets Championship in Niamey, Niger Republic.
The Guineans joined Nigeria in the losers final following their 1-2 loss to Mali on Thursday.
The Malian Eaglets will now face South Africa’s Amajimbos on Sunday at the Stade Seni Kountche in Niamey to determine the junior titleholders of African football.
Sekou Koita put the Malians ahead on 24 minutes when he drove home a beautiful tap-in inside the box, wrong-footing Guinean goalkeeper, Moussa Camara.
Aboubacar Traore levelled matters in the 50th when he powered his header past goalkeeper Alou Traore.
Aly Malle restored Mali’s lead two minutes later in a spectacular fashion, curling his free-kick delightfully for one of the contenders of goal of the tournament.
Sidiki Maiga, who was ever present with his menacing runs, could have doubled Mali’s earlier in the first half, but his 39th minute effort, which saw him rounding goalie Camara, rammed into the woodwork, the second time the Eaglets were being denied by the post in the first half.
Guinea went closest three minutes after Maiga’s failed 39th attempt but striker Sam Diallo failed to hit the target.
All four semi-finalists will carry Africa’s flag at the FIFA U17 World Cup to be hosted by Chile in October this year.
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