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Nigeria and South Africa wrote another chapter in their football history, this time it was a five-goal thriller at the U17 AFCON, but what was your major highlight?
Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets and their South African counterparts were at each other’s neck in the final game of the group stages in Group B at the U17 AFCON on Saturday night.
It was a thrilling battle between the familiar foes as Nigeria and South Africa served an entertaining five-goal thriller, with Abubakar Abdullahi the hero for the Golden Eaglets.
Nigeria came from behind twice to see off South Africa 3-2 to book their place in the knockout stages without permutation and combination from Nigerians.
So, you do know that Nigeria finished on a high to join Morocco, who surprisingly lost to Zambia on the same night, as the top two teams from Group B.
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21:53 - 06.05.2023
U17 AFCON: Abdullahi stunner fires Nigeria past South Africa in 5-goal thriller
Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets are through to the knockout stage of the U17 AFCON after a five-goal thriller against South Africa.
But here are three other things that you missed out on during the crunch battle between the two sides.
South Africa kept to their words
Before both teams stepped on the pitch in Constantine, the Rainbow nation promised to spit fire as per their coach Duncan Crowie as reported by Pulse Sports Nigeria hours before the game.
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According to Crowie, after the painful defeat to Morocco in the previous game, which the Eaglets dominated from start to finish, he expected the Nigerians to play like wounded lions.
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However, Crowie added that his Amajimbos were ready to go for the kill and spit fire and nobody will deny that South Africa came out smoking.
As early as the seventh minute, Crowie and his boys made their intentions known and not even a deserved equaliser from Charles Agada could stop them as they added a second before the break.
It was a gallant display from the South Africans but it was not just enough in the game as Nigeria’s quality, as highlighted by the South African coach, came through in the end.
These Eaglets are tight-space merchants
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22:21 - 05.05.2023
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A convincing Zambia win over Morocco in the other Group B game could put the loser of Nigeria vs South Africa's game at risk of elimination.
I have followed and watched Nigerian teams for decades now and for the first time, I saw a team comfortable in tight spaces.
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Nduka Ugbade’s team attempted some long balls and shots but the highlight of the evening was their short passes in and around the South African box.
The Eaglets played around their markers, deploying a beautiful dose of combination passes and apt dribbling as they tried to unlock what was most times a parked opposition box.
While the Nigerian youngsters rushed most of the end products in the end, they dished out some quality build-up in the process.
Golden Eaglets still have work to do
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22:57 - 04.05.2023
U-17 AFCON: South Africa's coach says team 'might' go for draw against Golden Eaglets
Nigeria and South Africa will square off at the Mohamed Hamlaoui Stadium in Constantine on Saturday in what would be the final group game for both sides.
As reported by Pulse Sports Nigeria before the all-important encounter, Nigerian coach, Ugbade, demanded a more prolific outing from his boys against South Africa after the painful outing against Morocco.
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However, while he would be happy that they maintained the same dominance over South Africa and scored three goals in the end, surely, he would be worried by the missed chances.
Nigeria attempted a remarkable 39 shots but only 12 were on target against the Amajimbos, with the Eaglets guilty of missing so many good chances.
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Ugbade still has some work to do offensively with his team, which includes getting the boys to be more composed in the final third.
Also, defensively, Nigeria looked shaky against the South Africans, especially Ogboji, who had netted an own goal in the previous match against Morocco.
In summary, the Golden Eaglets have played some of the best football so far at the U17 AFCON, but still have to be more clinical and composed at the back if the quest for a third title will be achieved in Algeria.
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