Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — Mali Sunday earned a point by holding defending champions Ghana to a 1-1 draw in their last match in Group "B" of the 12th edition of the African youth football championship at the Addis Ababa stadium.

In the other match of the day in the same group, Angola defeated Nigeria 2-0, which was played at the same time at the Abebe Bikila stadium, some 10 km west of the Addis Ababa stadium.

Ghana and Angola qualify for the semi-finals of the championship from their group, which automatically gives them the right represent Africa at the world youth football championship in June in Argentina.

Ghana emerged first in its group by winning two matches and drawing the third to earn seven points, scoring six goals and conceding only two.

Angola had three points with one loss, one draw and one win, with four goals scored and three conceded.

In the match between Angola and Nigeria, both sides appeared balanced during the first half, which ended with the former leading by a goal.

The Nigerians tried desperately to equalise during the second half, but did not succeed despite having several opportunities. The Angolans played a defensive game in efforts to cling to their lead, but managed to berate the tight Nigerian defence to score their second goal a few minutes before the end of the match.

Qualifiers in Group "A" would be decided Monday in two games to be played simultaneously at the Addis Ababa stadium, between Ethiopia and South Africa and at Abeba Bikila stadium, between Cameroon and Egypt.

Both matches were carry over from Saturday, when the first game between Cameroon and Egypt was interrupted by irate fans who invaded the pitch angered by a slow and time-consuming ploy the two teams displayed in order to win a point each to qualify to the next stage by leaving the pitch with a draw.

The Confederation of Africa Football, however, has decreed that the two teams, who lacked sportsmanship Saturday, must play to win. If at the end of regulation time there is a draw, there will be a penalty shootout, CAF ruled, saying this was a disciplinary measure against the Egyptians and Cameroonians for their behaviour.