It seems that Egypt's young footballers are imitating their seniors after they drew in their opening game against Mali at the African U-20 championships in Zambia. The same modest, unimpressive and worrying start to an African competition. Last month, the senior team tied Mali 0-0 in their opening game of the Africa Cup of Nations held in Gabon. But then, and against all odds, the Pharaohs went on to win their remaining games and reached the final before losing to Cameroon. On Sunday 26 February, it was the same dour performance against the same team and ended with the same score when Egypt and Mali played out a barren draw in their Group A clash at the National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka. As described by CAF›s official website, both teams exhibited some good football on a soggy pitch but it was Egyptian goalkeeper Mohamed Ghandour who was the hero for his side, standing between the Malians and a goal. The result leaves hosts Zambia at the top of the standings after beating Guinea 1-0 earlier in the tournament opener at the same venue. Zambia has three points, Egypt and Mali with a point each and Guinea pointless. With both teams struggling for dominance, it was the Malians who had the upper hand as the likes of Sidiki Maiga and Total Man of the Match Sekou Koita were constantly fed by Moussa Diakite from the midfield. Midway into the game, Ghandour coolly collected Koita's goal-bound shot in a balanced first half that failed to produce goals. The second half was no different with Mali dominating possession whilst the North Africans reacted occasionally on the counter. On 59 minutes, Maiga, who was top scorer in the qualifiers, was put through but with only Ghandour to beat, he shot feebly as the goalie yet again weathered the storm. A few minutes later, it was Koita on the move but again Ghandour proved to be a reliable last man standing. Just on the stroke of full time, the Egyptians had a good chance to score but Ahmed Ramadan's effort was no trouble for Mali shot stopper Samuel Diarra. Egypt will face Guinea on Wednesday 1 March while host Zambia meets Mali both at the National Heroes Stadium. Egypt's head coach Moatamed Gamal told reporters after the game that the Egyptians had really wanted to win the game “but the playing conditions were very difficult. In the absence of three points, it is better to leave with a point than a defeat. It's a good point, though our target was the three points. We will correct our mistakes to move forward in the next game. My players know our goal and they delivered a good game. However, the conditions were not the best due to the rain.” CAF Malian head coach Baye Ba said that although they were not happy with the result, it was not bad. “Given the opportunities, we lost two points in a game that we had the better opportunities. However, a draw against Egypt, a big football nation, is not that bad. Given the state of the field, we can understand the outcome of this game. We will take this draw and prepare seriously for the second game against Zambia. It will be a tough game but we have ambitions and it will be a good result against the host country.” Before the Egypt game, the host nation Zambia had made a bright start to the Total U-20 Africa Cup of Nations after a 1-0 win over Guinea in their opening Group A match on Sunday at National Heroes Stadium. Guinea dominated the early stages but hardly troubled Zambia goalkeeper Mangani Banda. Beston Chambeshi's side found its feet after 20 minutes when midfielder Edward Chilufya sent his header just wide off a Prince Chiluya corner. The Chipolopolo then escaped in the 29th minute when Guinea midfielder Naby Bangoura missed a chance after a one-on-one with Banda. Chilufya then thought he had put Zambia in the lead 10 minutes later when his goal was ruled offside while Fashion Sakala missed in quick succession in the 36th and 37th minutes before the first half ended scoreless. Later, Chambeshi introduced Portugal-based midfielder Emmanuel Banda for striker Conlyde Luchanga and the former Nchanga Rangers winger made an immediate impact for the hosts in attack.Zambia then dominated play in the second half and were rewarded for the hard work when Patson Daka scored the winner in the 48th minute. Guinea midfielder Dauoda Camara had an opportunity to level the score in the 53rd minute but it was Zambia who looked likely to score the second goal but when Chilufya found the back of the net again in the 90th minute, his effort was disallowed for offside. Zambia was scheduled to face Mali on Wednesday 1 March. A win in that penultimate Group A match at the same venue would be enough to seal their place in the semi-finals and a place in the 2017 FIFA U20 World Cup in South Korea. Zambia's Patson Daka, who was named the Man of the Match, said he was glad with the victory. “This is a dream, to start the competition with a victory. We are really very happy because it was a very difficult game and the crowd gave us the courage and the motivation to go for the victory. The competition has just started for us and we will approach the match against Mali with serenity. It will be a different opponent, so it will be a different approach.” Zambia's head coach Besto Chambeshi added: “It's a great start to the competition against a serious and tactically successful opponent. The important thing is the three points that allows the team to advance and prepare in the best conditions. It's a collective victory. I want pay tribute to the goalkeeper who saved two situations. I am impressed by the maturity of my players who did not bow to the pressure.” The defeated coach of Guinea Mandjou Diallo described the loss as a shame. “It's a shame to have lost such a match due to an individual error. Also, one can deplore the bad placement of the players especially in defence since it is from that the goal came. It is an unpardonable fault at this level, but I have to bow and congratulate Zambia, who played a great game of soccer, made of commitment and rapid projections forward. We have lost a game, not the tournament. Now, we have to go back and prepare for the next match against Egypt in the best way.”
