AYC Qualifiers

YesterdayRwanda 2-1 MaliTanzania 1-2 NigeriaUganda 3-1 GhanaRwanda’s U-20 Wasps recorded a deserved victory over Mali in the first leg of the second round of the African Youth Championship qualifier yesterday at Stade de Kigali.The Junior Wasps came from behind to beat Mali 2-1 in a tight game which the hosts dominated and missed plenty of goal scoring opportunities.Mali secured the lead through Diallo Sambo on 22nd minute following a poor goalkeeping error from Olivier Kwizera who was later substituted with a soar ankle. Emmanuel Sebanani scored the equaliser on 75th minute following a slippery ball from goalie Ally Yirango whose efforts of trying to save a strong header from Julius Bakkabulindi gifted the Mukura striker to punish him.Patrick Umwungeli snatched the winner on 90th minute when he headed home an aerial ball from Charles Mwesigye Tibingana’s corner.The victory gives the Junior Wasps a one-goal advantage over Mali ahead of the second leg due in a fortnight in Bamako. The winner will face either Lesotho or Zambia for the in the final qualifier before the finals in Algeria next year.Elsewhere, Uganda Hippos took early advantage as they dismissed Ghana’s Black Satellites 3-1 in Kampala on Saturday.A Julius Ogwang brace and another goal from Joseph Mpande leaves the Hippos needing a one-goal victory in the return leg next month to progress to the final qualification round. Michael Anaba got Ghana’s consolation in this under 20 encounter.Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Heroes lost 1-2 to visitors Nigeria in Dar es Salaam.