admin32 goals on an average of four goals per match.
Zimbabwe were among the teams that were in action as the journey for places at the African Youth Championships to be staged in Algeria got underway with the Young Warriors receiving neighbours Botswana in a Southern African derby tie at Barbourfields.
By the time the first round, first leg matches were completed, coach Jairos Tapera’s teenageers were joint second biggest winners behind Morocco who hammered Mauritania 5-0.
The Young Warriors, who thumped Botswana 4-0, were left in joint second place with Uganda who hammered Mozambique by the same margin at home.
Among the early leading scorers there was a hat-trick for Nafati Asam of Morocco a brace for Erisa Ssekisambu of Uganda and Munyaradzi Chiwara of Zimbabwe.
But a closer look at the results suggests that the first legs of the first round of qualifiers for the finals to be held in Algeria in 2013 produced some exciting football which sets up even more intriguing return encounters.
Morocco, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Niger will take handsome leads into the return fixtures after winning the first ties.
Of the teams that posted big wins only Rwanda were not at home and so the Rwandese, who claimed a 2-0 win to Namibia will fancy their chances of finishing off their opponents at home in Kigali.
The only other team to win away from home is Sierra Leone who beat Chad 3-2 in N’Djamena.
However, Mauritania, Botswana and Mozambique now face mammoth tasks in trying to overturn their huge first leg deficits.
The Young Warriors are set to face the Young Zebras at the University of Botswana ground on May 4.
Also with a mountain to climb in the return legs will be Liberia who lost 3-0 in Niamey to Mena Junior.
But there is a close battle on the cards between Tunis and Libya. Tunisia edged Libya by a narrow 3-2 setting up an interesting return match. Tanzania will take a 3-1 victory to Khartoum with Sudan hoping to turn the tables and qualify for the next round.
Results
Tanzania 3, Sudan 1
Morocco 5, Mauritania 0
Namibia 0, Rwanda 2
Zimbabwe 4, Botswana 0
Uganda 4, Mozambique 0
Tunisia 3, Libya 2
Chad 2, Sierra Leone 3
Niger 3 Liberia 0
Online Reporter