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Giants Nigeria, Ghana crash out of U20 AFCON in Zambia

By ghanasoccernet.com
Cup of Nations Giants Nigeria, Ghana crash out of U20 AFCON in Zambia
JUL 24, 2016 LISTEN

African giants Nigeria and Ghana will not play in next year's Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Zambia after the two West African sides were eliminated by little fancied opposition.

Nigeria, who are the defending champions of the competition, fell to a shock 3-4 home defeat to Sudan who sealed a famous qualification.

Former world champions Ghana were dumped out on Friday by Senegal 3-2 on aggregate despite the Black Satellite winning 1-0 in Cape Coast.

But the biggest surprise came on Saturday when Nigeria hosted ten-man Sudan in Lagos leading 2-1 from the first leg.

But Sudan - who had a man sent off - came from behind to level the tie 5-5 overall and progress on away goals.

South Africa went through with a win over Lesotho while Egypt sealed their place with their victory over Angola.

The rest of the places for the tournament will be sealed on Sunday, Guinea host The Gambia and Burkina Faso travel to play  Mali - both those games are goalless after the first leg.

Cameroon hold a 3-0 advantage over Libya - a game which is being played in Tunisia on security grounds.

In total, seven teams will join hosts Zambia at the finals next year.

The absence of the two West African giants from the competition comes as a surprise as both sides have enjoyed much success in youth competitions both in Africa and globally. Ghana are the only African country to have won the U20 World Cup.

Not only did they hold a 2-1 advantage from the first leg, they also had 15 members of Nigeria's triumphant Under-17 World Cup winning side from Chile 2015 in their squad - including the top scorer from that tournament, Victor Osimhen (pictured).

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