Egypt's U-20 national team coach Rabie Yassin believes that his players deserved to win the African Youth Cup after their superb performance throughout the tournament. Especially, their victory over Ghana 5-4 on penalties following a 1-1 draw.

"My boys played well tonight and did their best but destiny called it otherwise and we have to take it as such. When a match goes to penalties anything is possible and I will not put any blame or find fault with anyone."

"Last time we won the match on penalties to reach the final and today we lost on penalties there is nothing to mourn or complain about, that’s football. There are lots of positives to take from this tournament and we will continue to work hard."

Egypt won their fourth CAF U-20 Championship title on Saturday after a 5-4 penalty shoot-out victory over Ghana in the final played at Ahmed Zabana stadium in Oran on Saturday. The two sides had played a 1-1 draw in regulation time.

Converting penalties for Egypt were Saleh Gomaa, Ahmed Samir, Ahmed ElSayed, Mahmoud Monem and Hossam Mohamed while Ramy Rabie missed and for Ghana were Richmond Nketiah, Jeremiah Arkorful, Lawrence Lartey, Ebenezer Ofori while Attama Joseph and Moses Odjer missed.

The 12th Orange CAF Youth Championship final opened with two early goals, the first coming after only three minutes when Ghanaian defender Richmond Nketiah brought down left winger Mahmoud Monem in the box. Up stepped Saleh Gomaa to convert the spot kick and the Young Pharaohs went in front.

Coach John Obuh led Flying Eagles made amends for missing out on defending their title by beating Mali 2-1 to claim bronze medal of the 2013 Orange CAF U-20 Championship going on Algeria.

"I did my best to win the 3rd place. We are pleased with this third place finish even though we wanted to defend our title", said the Nigeria U-20 coach at the post-match press-conference.

"We started slowly unlike Mali ho came out of the blocks flying in this tournament. But tonight we improved and we will keep trying to improve and make more effort. My team played well tonight and we showed our true abilities."

"I believe this tournament was played at a good standard which is higher than the last edition. I can tell you for sure that the Mali we met two years ago was not as strong as this one."

Egypt and Ghana will play in the final of the 2013 Orange CAF U-20 Championship on Saturday at Ahmed Zabana stadium in Oran, Algeria.

The Young Pharaohs go into the match as favourites after notching four straight wins including an opening 2-1 victory over same opponents, Ghana two weeks ago.

Ghana coach Sellas Tetteh was at pains dispelling the suggestions that the Black Satellites will be seeking revenge. 

“It worries me when l hear such talk about being motivated by revenge, and wanting to get back at Egypt for that loss in the first game. That match is in the past and our approach to the final is not based on a need to even things or any such intention. We are in a final and will play to win, regardless of what has happened before. “ said Tetteh

Nigeria made amends for missing out on defending their title by beating Mali 2-1 to finish with bronze at the 2013 Orange CAF U-20 Championship.

By reaching the semi-finals both teams qualified for FIFA U-20 World Cup and for the greater part of the match cantered their way through the stages with odd flashes of constructive football here and there during a match played at Ahmed Zabana stadium in Oran.

A brace from striker Aminu Umar ensured that it was The Flying Eagles and not The Eaglets who claimed third spot in the competition. Mali scored a late goal on 87th minute through Tiekoro Keita to make it an interesting end but it was Nigeria’s night.

Nigeria and Mali will clash Friday in the match for third place at the ongoing 2013 Under-20 African Youth Championship (AYC) in Algeria.

The match will be a repeat of their clash at the group stage, which Mali won 1-0.

Nigeria, the tournament's defending champion who was beaten 2-0 by Egypt in the semi-final, is taking the match very seriously.

Head coach of Nigeria's Flying Eagles, John Obuh, said ahead of the match: “The only way to make up for the disappointment of surrendering the title is to finish with a win against Mali.”

The Malians are also not taking the match lightly.

Ghana beat Mali 4-2 on penalties to qualify for the final of the 2013 African Youth Championship in Algeria. 

After both sides failed to score after extra-time, the Black Satellites from their first penalty miss to make it a fifth final in the history of the Under-20 championship.

Striker Francis Narh's spot-kick was saved by Yirango Ali in post for Mali whose Samba Diallo scored.

Jeremiah Akorful scored but Adama Niane kick was parried away by goalkeeper Eric Ofori Antwi.

Nigeria failed to reach the final of the 2013 AYC after they lost 2-0 to Egypt on Tuesday in Ain Temouchent.

Mahmoud Kahraba scored twice in the second half after a goalless first half to give the Young Pharaohs passage to Saturday’s final against Group A rivals Ghana.

Mali will take on Nigeria in a Group B rematch on Friday by 5.30pm in Oran to determine the third-placed team.

The Malians won the group game against their more illustrious counterparts 1-0 on the opening day of this tournament.

The 2013 AYC champions have been drawn in a relatively easier group than the other African teams at the U20 World Cup in Turkey.

In a draw staged in Istanbul on Monday evening, the eventual champions of the AYC, which is in the semi-final stage, are drawn in Group E alongside Chile, England and Iraq.

The three other African flag bearers are drawn in tougher-looking groups.

These groups are Group A, which has France, USA and Spain, while Group B has Cuba, Korea Republic and Portugal. Group D has Mexico, Greece and Paraguay.

Mali, who already sealed their ticket to the U20 World Cup, lost to Gabon 2-0 in their final Group B game at the African Youth Championship.

The Pantheres are eliminated despite the result as Nigeria won against DR Congo at the same time.

Three minutes into the game Meye Me Ndong's header went just wide of the goal.

The first opportunity Mali was recorded in the 9th minute when a shot by Tounkoura was saved by Gabonese goalkeeper Ngouazela.

Gabon were more determined and they scored just moments before the break thanks to their captain Franck Engonga.