International, U21 ACN: disillusions for Qasmi and Sané

Bad week-end for Yacine Qasmi and Abdoulaye Sané, playing their respective final fixtures in the U21 African Cup of Nations.

In the final this Saturday, Morocco lost on its soil against Gabon, the surprise tournament winner. Morocco had scored first, at the 21st minute. At the reception of a cross from the left, Qasmi couldn’t hit the ball but it bounced back to Youness Mokhtar, who scored in a goal deserted by the Gabonese goalkeeper.
Gabon reacted fast however, and managed to equalise just after the half-hour mark through Obiang (33’). The Gabonese were even taking the lead just before half-time, with a goal by Nono following a free-kick. There would be no more goals scored in the second half, as Gabon resisted to the Moroccan pressure, well helped by the dismissal of the opposition’s goalkeeper, Yassine El Kharroubi.
Beaten, Morocco are finishing second in a competition they were organising. “The Lion cubs from Atlas” will find consolation in their qualification for the London Olympics.

A qualification for which Abdoulaye Sané’s Senegal will still have to fight. By losing the third-place final against Egypt (0-2), the Senegalese have lost a second opportunity to clinch their spot. A play-off against an Asian nation yet to be determined will be their last chance to qualify.
Trailing after half an hour, Senegal eventually conceded a goal in each half. In the starting line-up, Sané was substituted during the game. The Rennes striker, like Qasmi, will now travel back to Brittany and reintegrate Laurent Huard’s squad.