AFCON U-20: South Africa ends Flying Eagles’ title hopes
Nigeria failed to reach the final of the 18th Africa U-20 Cup of Nations after a composed South African side, Amajita, absorbed all the pressure from the Flying Eagles and struck midway into the second half to seal a 1-0 victory. The result condemned the seven-time champions to Sunday’s third-place match.
The Flying Eagles started with high intensity and physicality but lacked coordination and composure in the final third, squandering several goal-scoring chances.
Forward Kparobo Arierhi failed to connect with a teasing cross from Clinton Jephta in the 22nd minute and later missed a golden opportunity from six yards with only the goalkeeper to beat in the 30th minute.
South Africa nearly capitalized three minutes later when Nigerian goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt misjudged an inswinger, but captain Daniel Bameyi cleared the danger.
Arierhi remained at the center of Nigeria’s attacking efforts, missing another Jephta cross in the 37th minute and seeing a shot deflected two minutes later after beating his marker.
On the hour mark, Nigeria lost goalkeeper Harcourt to injury. His replacement, Ajia Yakub, narrowly escaped an error on his first test but faltered five minutes later when he misread a cross, allowing defender Tylon Smith to head home the winner.
Late chances fell to substitutes Mendos Rickson and Auwal Ibrahim, but Nigeria failed to find the equaliser. The Flying Eagles will now face the loser of the second semi-final between hosts Egypt and Morocco in the bronze medal match on Sunday.
