Defending champions face must-win situation

CAF U-17 defending champions Baby Scorpions are looking forward to recovering from their embarrassing start in the CAF U-17 youth championship as they face a must-win situation to avoid a first round exit in the eight-team competition.

The Baby Scorpions, who were many football pundits’ favourite to replicate their historic performances that saw them win two continental youth titles, have so far proved to be the weakest team of the Rwanda campaign, following their dismal start to the tournament, by conceding 3 goals in the process.

The team, under the guide of coach Lamin Sambou, began the defence of their 2009 crown with a humiliating 3-nil defeat against outstanding Congolese youth side, the team’s biggest defeat ever at the U-17 level.

Coach Sambou and his charges dented the country’s hope of a third silverware after they conceded two quick goals in space of ten minutes on their way to a 3-nil defeat to their Saturday’s opponents when goals from Steve Epako and a brace from man of the match Benguilla Samarange proved to be the deciding moment of the game, as Congo ran away with all the needed points at the expense of the Baby Scorpions.

Today’s game will determine the two-time African U-17 champion’s fate in the tournament having already conceded their first defeat in their opener four days ago.

Any further defeat could prove a disastrous setback for the Gambia’s title ambition, which will definitely see them crash out of the tournament.

The team needs to win their remaining two matches against Mali and Ivory Coast to avoid the risk of first round elimination.

Today’s game will be followed by another crucial group B encounter when the Baby Scorpions meet Ivory Coast on Saturday.