2019 U-17 AFCON: Cameroon beat Guinea on penalties to lift trophy
The Cadet Lions of Cameroon have defeated Guinea 5-3 on penalties to win the 2019 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations tittle.
Cameroon lifted the trophy this Sunday 28th April 2019 at the at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
At the finals, two finalists created decent chances but failed to score as the match ended 0-0 in normal time.
Cameroon proved to be a strong force during the decisive penalty-kicks and benefitted when Guinea substitute, Mohamed Youssouf Sack had his penalty saved by goalkeeper Manfred Mekumba Ekoi.
Head Coach of the Cadet Lions of Cameroon,Thomas Libii shares his joy
“I am happy that we have achieved all our goals of qualifying for the World Cup and winning the AFCON title “.
Cameroon, who also defeated the Syli Cadets of Guinea 2-0 in the group stage, are the only team to complete the tournament unbeaten.
The journey started off with a group win over Guinea. The boys of Thomas Libii later before overpowered Morocco to a 2-1 defeat.
Their third run was a goalless encounter with the West African team, Senegal.
Cameroon went on to win 4-3 on penalties against Angola at the semi final stage, despite being down to 10-men.
Many bookmakers have described Guinea’s outing at the 2019 U-17 as the best showpiece in the continent’s U-17 competitions.
The Syli Cadets of Guinea finishes as runners-up for the first time.
Guinea will join Cameroon and the losing semi-finalists Nigeria and Angola at this year’s U-17 World Cup in Brazil.
On a different twist, Guinea is still waiting to hear what CAF’s Disciplinary Committee will decide after Senegal and Nigeria both protested that Guinea had used ineligible players.
If the decision goes against Guinea, the Syli Cadets could lose their World Cup place.
Just to note that Cadets lione of Cameroon and the Syli Cadets of Guinea both grabbed the final tickets through semi-finals penalty shootouts.
It is Cameroon’s second U-17 Nations Cup title having previously been African Champions in 2003.
Cameroonian Steve Regis Mvoue was crowned best player of the 2019 U-17 Africa Cup of Nation.
Benly Anchunda