The 2023 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations football matches resumed on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, at Ibn Batouta Stadium in Tangier, Morocco as fans witnessed upsets in Group B matches.
Surprising results emerged in the second round as defending champions Egypt faced off against the formidable Mali.
In another match of the day, Niger Republic caused an upset by defeating Gabon.
The first match saw Egypt emerge victorious with a 1-0 win over Mali in a highly intense encounter.
Egypt and Niger stay undefeated as they secure their first wins ✅
Take a look at today's #TotalEnergiesAFCONU23 results ???? pic.twitter.com/jOCNAZSzA4
— #TotalEnergiesAFCONU23 ???? (@CAF_Online) June 28, 2023
The game became heated, resulting in the referee issuing six yellow cards, including a red card against Mali’s Mamady Diambou in the 56th minute of the second half.
Mamady Diambou had already received a yellow card in the 40th minute of the first half.
Two other Malian players, Alhassane Tamboura and Mohamadou Lamine Bah, were cautioned with yellow cards in the 46th and 84th minutes of the match, respectively.
Similarly, three Egyptian players, Hossam Abdelmaguid, Ahmed Eid, and Omar Fayed, received yellow cards in the 18th, 47th, and 69th minutes, respectively.
Ibrahim Adel secured an early lead for the North Africans, scoring the only goal of the match in the 10th minute with an assist from Osama Faisal.
This solitary goal was enough for Egypt to surpass Mali and claim the top spot in Group B with 4 points after two rounds of matches.
In the second match of the day, Niger Republic secured a 1-0 victory against Gabon at the same venue.
Abdoul Moumouni scored the lone goal in the 60th minute of the second half following a goalless first half.
During the game, Samake Nze Bagnama of Gabon and Djibrilla Ibrahim and Abdoulaye Beny Coulibaly of Niger Republic received yellow cards from the referee in the 20th, 28th, and 51st minutes, respectively.
With this victory, Niger Republic now sits in second place in the group standings with 4 points after two matches, while Mali holds the third position with 3 points.
#TotalEnergiesAFCONU23 Group B is starting to take shape after round 2 ????
Which teams are you rooting for to make the semi-finals? pic.twitter.com/aC5nQSdyEz
— #TotalEnergiesAFCONU23 ???? (@CAF_Online) June 28, 2023
Gabon remains at the bottom of the group with zero points after two matches.
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