African sides’ poor in World Cup start

  1. Posted on Wednesday 28 October 2009 - 12:00
    Sam Banda Junior
    Image of Sam Banda Junior
    Sam Banda Jnr, AfricaNews reporter in Blantyre, Malawi
    African representatives at the U-17 World Cup started on a poor note with Malawi, Algeria, Burkina Faso and Gambia all registering losses. The hosts Nigeria were the only side which managed to hold Germany to a 3-3 draw in the opening game. The young Nigerians played Honduras in their second game on Tuesday.
    Nigeria 2009
    Malawi Under 17 national football team opened their first game in the World Cup with a 0-2 loss to United Arab Emirates in Group E at San Abacha Stadium in Nigeria on Monday.

    The Junior Flames’ loss came barely a day after the senior team comprising of mostly local players also lost 0-1 to Mozambique in the Cosafa Senior Challenge Cup quarter finals in Zimbabwe.

    Malawi’s loss complemented a miserable start for African teams which also saw Algeria losing to Italy 0-1 on the same day.

    Gambia had two men sent off as they lost 0-2 to Iran whereas Burkina Faso were beaten 1-0 by Turkey.

    Malawi participating at the Under 17 World Cup for the first time put up an impressive performance but had two men sent off.

    The Junior Flames were twice denied by the woodwork when Bruno Milanzi in and Tony Chitsulo struck the post in the first half.

    But United Arab Emirates hit back in the second half scoring through Captain Marwan Al Saffar in the 63rd minute through a free- kick and Mohammad Sebil.

    African sides have also showed a lack of discipline among its players. Malawi had two players sent off just like Gambia.

    The southern African side plays their second game on Thursday against United States of America who also lost to Spain 1-2 on Monday.

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