Wolves’ international contingent experienced differing emotions over the weekend, with tournaments continuing for Dexter Lembikisa and Boubacar Traore.
Lembikisa helped Jamaica to a 5-0 win over Saint Kitts and Nevis which saw the Reggae Boyz qualify for the last eight of the Concacaf Gold Cup, while Traore and Mali have a U23 Africa Cup of Nations semi-final to look forward to.
For Pedro Neto and Fabio Silva, their summer international duty is now over however, with wolves.co.uk rounding up the weekend’s action for the Wolves contingent.
Pedro Neto & Fabio Silva | England U21s 1-0 Portugal U21s
Neto and Silva’s hopes of lifting the U21 European Championship title were ended on Sunday evening by England. The Wolves duo continued in the starting eleven, having helped Portugal book their place in the last eight with victory over Belgium last time out, but their journey ended at the hands of Lee Carsley’s side. The Three Lions took the lead after 34 minutes through a goal from Newcastle United man Anthony Gordon. Silva was withdrawn on 65 minutes, before Neto followed in injury time, with neither able to earn their side an equaliser, despite Portugal shading long periods of the game. Israel await in the semi-finals for England, while Neto, Silva and Portugal return home.
Boubacar Traore | Niger U23s 0-2 Mali U23s
The semi-finals of the U23 Africa Cup of Nations await for Traore and Mali. Together on Saturday evening, they defeated Niger 2-0, which saw Mali pip their opponents to qualification for the knockout stages. Once again, Traore captained his country in the midfield and two second half strikes, courtesy of RB Salzburg’s Mamadou Sangare and Cheickna Doumbia of Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai, did the damage to book their place in the last four. Next up are Morocco under-23s on Tuesday evening at 9pm, with the final due to take place on Friday evening, where Mali or Morocco will meet the winners of Egypt against Guinea.
𝗢𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗺𝗶𝘀, already focus on the next one ! 🦅🇲🇱 pic.twitter.com/cebBurjZHy
— Boubacar Traoré (@BoubaTraore_8) July 2, 2023
Dexter Lembikisa | Jamaica 5-0 Saint Kitts and Nevis
For Lembikisa and Jamaica, their Concacaf Gold Cup journey continues after a battering of Saint Kitts and Nevis in the early hours of Monday morning. The Wolves full-back played the full 90 minutes as the Reggae Boyz hit their opponents for five to book a place in the last eight. Jamaica completed an unbeaten group stage, making it seven points from nine, and the 5-0 success was the country’s biggest ever Gold Cup victory. Next up is the quarter final at 10pm on Sunday, where Jamaica are likely to face either Guatemala or Guadeloupe, and Lembikisa will hope to retain his place at right-back.
