Africa: Greatest Performances of African Nations in U-20 World Cup

From the prowess of Nigeria in 1989 to the triumph of Ghana in 2009, and the performances of Senegal and Mali in 2015, listed here are the best feats of African nations on the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Over the past 22 editions, Africa has been current within the final 4 of this match on eight events

The U-20 World Cup 2023 is going down from Could 20 to June 11

Senegal, Gambia, Nigeria and Tunisia are the representatives of the African continent.

The FIFA™ U-20 World Cup is a contest the place African groups normally shine. This match has certainly seen the emergence of nice African skills on the worldwide scene, akin to Andre Ayew, Seydou Keita or Mahamadou Diarra who’ve all left an indelible mark within the historical past of this competitors.

Listed here are a few of the greatest performances of African nations within the competitors.

1985: Nigeria within the final 4, a primary for Africa

The Flying Eagles made their mark of their first match towards Canada. Fourteen seconds was all it took for Odiaka Monday to attain the quickest purpose within the historical past of the U-20 World Cup (known as the World Youth Championship on the time), a file that will be overwhelmed by Senegal’s Amadou Sagna 34 years later. On this version, Siasia’s teammates received the bronze medal, due to a penalty shootout victory towards the Soviet Union.

1989: The Miracle of Dammam, the Flying Eagles within the closing

In Saudi Arabia, Nigeria had nice ambitions. In Dammam, within the quarter-finals, whereas the Nigerians had been led 4-0 by the Soviet Union, Ohen’s teammates reversed the development: “I bear in mind each minute of that sport. I bear in mind each minute of that sport. We did an actual feat of scoring 4 targets in quarter-hour,” stated Tunde Disu in an interview with The Nation.

With the rating tied at 4-4 on the finish of regulation time, Nigeria and the Soviets went to penalties. The extra industrious West Africans superior to the semifinals, the place they defeated america. Within the closing, Disu’s protégés met up with Portugal, the place they fell 2-0.

1993: Ghana follows in Nigeria’s footsteps

4 years after Nigeria, Ghana was within the closing of a World U-20. The Ghanaians had a course with out fault till the ultimate. Towards Brazil, Duah scored within the fifteenth minute, the staff was about to create a feat. Nevertheless, Ahinful’s team-mates cracked within the house of eight minutes (targets from Yan within the fiftieth and Gian within the 58th) and let the victory slip away.

1999: Mahamadou Diarra and Seydou Keita put Mali on the rostrum

A Malian duo was to shine at this version of the World Youth Championship: Mahamadou Diarra and Seydou Keita. Due to their two midfielders, the Malians made an distinctive journey: they end on the prime of their group, remove Cameroon (5-4 victory after additional time) within the spherical of 16 and Nigeria within the quarter (3-1 victory), earlier than dropping to Xavi’s Spain, 3-1 within the semi-final. The Africans had been consoled with the bronze medal due to their victory 1-0 towards Uruguay. On the similar time Keita received the adidas Golden Ball.

2001: Two African nations on the rostrum

The Black Satellites, led by Michael Essien, brought about havoc. They completed first of their group forward of France. The Ghanaians managed to remove Brazil 2-1 earlier than going through the Egyptians within the final 4 of the competitors. The North Africans additionally had a great run, as Mohamed El Yamini’s teammates beat the Netherlands.

On this duel between Africans, it’s Ghana who comes out because the winner. For the second closing in its historical past, the West African nation fell to Argentina and left with a brand new silver medal. Egypt beat Paraguay within the third place match and took the bronze.

2005: Nigeria within the closing once more, Morocco finishes fourth

Sixteen years later, the Flying Eagles had been once more within the closing. The dream of the Nigerians to be topped was destroyed in a short time by Argentina and their playmaker: Lionel Messi. La Pulga scored two targets from the penalty spot and the Albiceleste, victorious 2-1, received their fifth world title. The Nigerians John Obi Mikel and Taye Taiwo had been awarded the adidas Silver and Bronze Ball. Morocco, semi-finalists, had been overwhelmed 2-1 by Brazil within the match for third place.

2009: Ghana lastly topped

The third time was the suitable time for Ghana. The Ghanaians took the lead of their group and particularly had been very prolific through the cut-off matches (9 targets scored for 4 conceded). Assured, the band of André Ayew arrived within the closing towards Brazil. After regulation time and additional time (0-0), the 2 groups had a penalty session. With 4 profitable photographs towards 3, Ghana exulted in entrance of the Brazilians. Striker Adiyiah was topped double adidas Golden Ball and adidas Golden Shoe winner due to his eight targets scored.

2015 : Mali as in 1999

Mali and Senegal had been each drawn as one of the best third-placed groups of their swimming pools. The Eaglets and Cubs of Teranga, who had been overwhelmed by Brazil (5-0) and Serbia (2-1 a.p.) respectively within the semifinals, battled it out for the bronze medal. Successful 3-1, Mali repeated their 1999 feat and accomplished the rostrum of this version. Adama Traoré was the adidas Golden Ball

@FIFA+