Nigeria U17 3-2 South Africa U17: Golden Eaglets edge Amajimbos to quarterfinal spot

The Nigeria U17 men’s national team defeated their South African counterparts 3-2 to book a spot in the quarterfinals of the ongoing U17 Africa Cup of Nations in Algeria.

The Golden Eaglets were needing a draw to confirm their place in the last eight, while Amajimbos were in search of an outright win to seal a passage, having bagged three points from two opening matches.

It’s was fierce contest as South Africa took the lead twice before Abubakar Abdullahi was the hero of the night for the Eaglets after he scored the decisive winner to give Nigerians the win in Constantine.

Vicky Mkhawana fired South Africa into an lead in the fifth minute off a well-taken shot after Waylon Renecke’s initial header from a corner hit the upright.

Two minutes later the Eaglets fight back strongly as Abubakar Abdullahi fired just wide of Gennaro Johnson’s goal.

Nigeria keep pushing for an early equalizer and had the ball in the back of the net in the 10th minute, but from an off-side position while Johnson saved Tochukwu Ogbabido’s effort a minute later.

South Africa had a few more chances as Gomolemo Kekana’s free kick was saved by Richard Odoh, but it was the Nigerians who kept throwing everything at the South Africans, desperate to get back into the game.

Charles Agada forced a save from Johnson in the 29th minute, while Abdullahi went narrowly wide again four minutes later.

With the Amajimbos camped in their own half, the equalizer finally came as Agada headed in from Gabriel Amato’s clearing header from a corner in the 35th minute.

It looked like they’d go into halftime level, but after being frustrated for most of the half, Mabena expertly dribbled past two defenders, entering the box and firing a shot that past Odoh that struck the crossbar and bounced over the goal line.

Much of the first half saw the Eaglets with possession and trying shots from range, and once again the equalizer came as Light Eke tap in at the far post in the opening minute, after a good run by Agada down the right.

The Ugbade boys continue to press and for the first time in the game Nigeria went into the lead in the 65th minute thanks to Abdullahi wonder strike which slightly look offside.

The South Africans pushed hard for a goal, but it was Nigeria who almost scored again in the 82nd minute, but Eke’s attempt struck the crossbar, while Johnson made a good save a minute later.

With the win, Nigeria finished second in Group B with six points, one behind group winners Morocco while South Africa stay in third and could go through as best loser.