South Africa’s Amajita booked their place in the final of the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the first time since 1997 after edging Nigeria’s Flying Eagles 1-0 in a tense semi-final on Thursday.
The win came courtesy of a costly goalkeeping error by Nigerian substitute Ajia Yakub, whose misjudgment gifted South Africa the decisive goal.
Despite Nigeria dominating large spells of the encounter, they struggled to convert chances. Their dominance in possession failed to yield results as they were left to rue several missed opportunities.
The Flying Eagles began brightly and created the game’s first major chance through a promising free-kick. Tahir Maigana curled goalward but was kept out by the alert South African keeper. Shortly after, a dangerous corner rattled the crossbar before being cleared to safety.
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Although Nigeria continued to create several promising moments through Kparobo Arierhi and Clinton Jephta, they couldn’t find the breakthrough. Arierhi came closest twice. His powerful run and then shot sailed over the bar before a deflected effort narrowly missed the target.
Yet, against the run of play, South Africa nearly stole the lead. amA dangerous cross was met with a timely clearance by Daniel Bameyi. The match remained in balance, with both sides looking to capitalise on openings.
The Flying Eagles had to reshuffle early in the second half when first-choice goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt was substituted due to injury. His replacement, Ajia Yakub, would later become the centre of attention.
A miscommunication nearly cost Nigeria on the hour mark, but Yakub recovered in time to smother the danger.
However, disaster struck in the 66th minute. Yakub misread a cross, straying off his line, which allowed South Africa’s Tylon Smith to head into an empty net and put his side ahead. It was a moment of disbelief for the Nigerians, who had largely kept the South Africans at bay until that point.
As expected, Nigeria threw everything forward in search of an equaliser. Bidemi Amole twice tested the opposition keeper with low drives, but both efforts were either blocked or pushed aside. The Flying Eagles continued to probe, and Auwal Ibrahim came agonisingly close. He dragged a powerful effort just wide in the closing stages.
With minutes left on the clock, Israel Ayuma had a golden chance to force extra time. He rose to meet a cross, but his header was expertly punched away by the South African goalkeeper. Despite the late flurry, Nigeria couldn’t breach the Amajita defence.
Flying Eagles will play the third-place play-off (just like two years ago) against Egypt on Sunday, May 18. Morocco defeated the hosts in the other semi-final of he day.
Meanwhile, South Africa march into their first final in nearly three decades. They will hope to go one better than their 1997 runners-up finish.
Tags: Flying Eagles, Amajita, South Africa, Egypt, Morocco, U-20 AFCON, #AFCONU20, #U20AFCON, Auwal Ibrahim, Tahir Maigana, Ajia Yakub, Kparobo Arierhi, Clinton Jephta, Daniel Bameyi, Israel Ayuma, #RSANGA, Tylon Smith.
