Football: African Youth Championship in Congo-Assistant referee Damoo gets call-up |18 January 2007

The championship proper, which runs from January 20 to February 3, starts on Saturday with the opening match of Group A between hosts Congo-Brazzaville and Cote d’Ivoire.
Other than Congo-Brazaville and Cote d'ivoire, Burkina Faso and Gambia have also been drawn in pool A.

Coached by Godwin ‘Koko’ Uwua, defending champions Flying Eagles of Nigeria will start the defence of their title on Sunday in a Group B match against the Young Chipolopolo of Zambia.

The Flying Eagles won the last edition of the competition played in Benin two years ago.
Speaking on the team’s expectations at the championship, Bala Ezekiel of Lyn Oslo Football Club of Norway said:
“With the spirit in camp, the Flying Eagles are the team to beat. We will take the matches as they come. I call on Nigerians to support the team with prayers, as the team’s victory in the championship will be the glory of the entire nation. We are aware of the achievement of the former team in the African Youth Championship and World Youth Championship, which undoubtedly will put a little pressure on us. But, I’m confident that with the quality of players in camp, we will do well in Congo.”

Egypt and Cameroon are the other two teams playing in pool B.    

Group A fixtures
20-01-2007 Congo v Cote d'Ivoire
20-01-2007 Burkina Faso v Gambia
23-01-2007 Cote d'Ivoire v Burkina Faso
23-01-2007 Gambia v Congo
26-01-2007 Côte d'Ivoire v Gambia
26-01-2007Congo v Burkina Faso

Group B fixtures
21-01-2007 Nigeria v Zambia
21-01-2007 Cameroon v Egypt
24-01-2007 Zambia v Cameroon
24-01-2007 Egypt v Nigeria
27-01-2007 Zambia v Egypt
27-01-2007 Nigeria v Cameroon

Semifinals
30-01-2007 winners pool A v runners-up pool B
30-01-2007 winners pool B v runners-up pool A

3rd place play-off match
02-02-2007 Between the losers of the two semifinals 

Final
03-02-2007 Between the winners of the two semifinals 

G. G.