Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have booked an exciting semifinal conflict in opposition to South Africa’s Amajita on the CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations, following a dramatic quarterfinal night time that noticed each nations overcome powerful opposition to advance, Soccernet.ng stories.
Aliyu Zubairu’s males edged out defending champions Senegal in a tense, goalless affair that stretched by 120 minutes of soccer earlier than Nigeria triumphed 3-1 on penalties.
Ebenezer Hacourt ended it right here! #TotalEnergiesAFCONU20 pic.twitter.com/Z20RIHjRRc
— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) Could 12, 2025
The win not solely despatched the Flying Eagles into the final 4 but additionally secured their place at this 12 months’s FIFA U20 World Cup.
South Africa, like Nigeria, have been made to dig deep. Going through a cussed DR Congo aspect, the Amajita struggled to discover a breakthrough in regular time.
Nonetheless, substitute Thabang Mahlangu emerged the hero, scoring within the dying seconds of the primary half of additional time to seal a hard-fought 1-0 win.
— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) Could 12, 2025
The 2 sides now renew their long-standing rivalry, with echoes of previous encounters including additional spice to the semifinal.
Their most up-to-date assembly at this stage of the competitors got here within the 2019 third-place playoff, the place South Africa defeated Nigeria on penalties to say the bronze. That, in flip, avenged their very own 2-1 defeat to the Flying Eagles in the identical fixture a decade earlier in 2009.
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Nigeria vs South Africa: Amajita arrange semifinal date with Flying Eagles on the U20 AFCON
Regardless of South Africa’s confidence, Nigeria will go into the conflict as favourites.
The Flying Eagles stay essentially the most profitable aspect in U20 AFCON historical past, having lifted the trophy a report seven occasions. With a gifted squad and momentum on their aspect, they are going to be aiming for an eighth title and their first since 2015.
South Africa, however, are chasing historical past. The Amajita have by no means received the event, with their finest end coming in 1997 after they have been overwhelmed 1-0 by Morocco within the remaining. Now, with a World Cup ticket already within the bag, they consider they will go one higher.
Elsewhere, the second semifinal sees Morocco sq. off in opposition to hosts Egypt. Morocco edged previous spectacular debutants Sierra Leone 1-0 after additional time of their quarterfinal, due to a late winner that sealed their progress.
Egypt’s path to the semis was way more dramatic.
The Younger Pharaohs raced right into a 2-0 lead in opposition to Ghana inside the first half hour, solely to be pegged again by the resilient Black Satellites, who pressured the match into penalties after a 2-2 draw. Egypt ultimately held their nerve to win the shootout 5-4 in entrance of a jubilant dwelling crowd.
Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele
Imhonlamhen Eronmhonsele turns right into a ball of ardour when writing about Nigerian soccer and its abilities, whether or not rising stars or established legends, domestically and overseas.
From the deepest corners of the Center East, to the inexperienced fields of the Americas, to the celebrated grounds in Europe, and the wealthy soils of Africa, Imhons is greater than glad, normally with a glass of a tasty drink close by, to seize the essence of the sport, by connecting the dots between tradition, id, and soccer.