The 2011 African U-23 Championship was the first edition of the football tournament for players under 23 years. It was originally scheduled to be hosted by Egypt from 26 November to 10 December 2011. However, less than two months prior to the start of the tournament, Egyptian authorities decided against hosting the competition because of security concerns. On 13 October 2011, Morocco was chosen as the replacement to host the tournament. The tournament also doubles up as the qualifiers for the 2012 Summer Olympics. The top 3 placed teams qualified automatically for the 2012 Summer Olympics football tournament, while the 4th best placed team qualify for a play-off with an AFC counterpart. Qualified teams The Confederation of African Football chose to create a tournament and qualifying phase to decide which associations could represent Africa at the 2012 Olympic Games. Of CAF's 53 association nations, 39 agreed to participate in the qualifiers for the tournament. To qualify for the tournament, participating nations had to overcome three two-legged qualifying stages. Qualified teams: Venues Draw The draw for the tournament was held on 24 September 2011 during the CAF Executive Committee meeting in Cairo, Egypt. Match officials The following referees were chosen for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations. Squads Group stage All times given as local time (UTC) If two or more teams tied in their points, the following tie-breaker is used: Points in the matches between the concerned teams, Goal difference in the matches between the concerned teams, Number of goals in the matches between the concerned teams, Goal difference in all group matches, Number of goals in all group matches, Fair Play point (number of yellow and red cards), Drawing of lots. Group A Group B Knockout stage All times given as local time (UTC+1) Semi-finals Third place play-off Final Best eleven The team of the tournament with substitutes: Goalkeeper: Ahmed El Shenawy Defenders: Mahan Marc Goua, Moaz El-Henawy, Remy Ebanega, Zakarya Bergdich Midfielders: Sameehg Doutie, Hossam Hassan, Abdelaziz Barrada, Raheem Lawal Forwards: Youness Mokhtar, Abdoulaye Sané Subs: Ousmane Mané (GK); Ahmed Hegazy and Mohamed Salah, Allen Nono, Laglais Xavier Kouassi and Jean Michael Seri, Soufiane Bidaoui and Adnane Tighadouini, Danny Uchechi, Mohamed Chalali Goalscorers 3 goals Abdelaziz Barrada Raheem Lawal 2 goals Ahmed Shroyda Emmanuel Ndong Mba Youness Mokhtar Danny Uchechi 1 goal Mehdi Benaldjia Baghdad Bounedjah Georges Henri Griffiths Moussa Koné Lacina Traoré Ahmed Magdi Marwan Mohsen Mohamed