U-17 AFCON: Nigeria edge S’ Africa in thriller to make quarters

By Chimezie Nebolisa

Flying Eagles of Nigeria put up a fight to edge South Africa 3-2 in Constantine on Saturday night to qualify for the quarterfinals of the Total Energies U17 Africa Cup of Nations in Algeria.

Abubakar Abdullahi scored the winner for the Golden Eaglets as the West African side came from behind twice to clinch maximum points and finish second in group B, behind group winners Morocco.

South Africa are third on three points and will be waiting for results from group C on Sunday to see whether they can move into the last eight as one of two best third-placed teams.

The Amajimbos got into the lead after six minutes when Vicky Mkhawana shot low into the net after Waylon Renecke’s header from Gabriel Amato’s corner came off the post.

Nigeria retored parity in the 33rd minute when Agada equalized with a header after a corner was brushed to his path unmarked at the back post.

In the second minute of added time before the break, South Africa retook the lead with a brilliant piece of individual brilliance from Siyabonga Mabena, who picked up the ball on the left before taking on two markers and unleashing a shot that came off the underside of the bar and beyond the goal line.

However, the Flying Eagles drew level again just seconds into the second half when Light Eke tapped home inside the box after a cross from Agada off a good run on the right found him well-placed.

The winner then came in the 65th minute when Abdullahi sneaked in between the two central defenders to extend a foot and direct Emmanuel Michael’s cross into the net.

As runners-up, Nigeria will now take on the second-placed team from group C.