Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets are through to the knockout stage of the U17 AFCON after a five-goal thriller against South Africa.
Nigerian Golden Eaglets are safely through to the U17 AFCON following a thrilling final group game against South Africa.
Abubakar Abdullahi was the hero of the night after he scored the decisive winner to give Nigeria a 3-2 win in Constantine.
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Charles Agada and Light Eke were the other scorers on the night for Nigeria as Eaglets' quest for a third AFCON title stays alive in Algeria.
South Africa took a shock lead twice with Nigeria forced to come from behind twice to equalise before Abdullahi wrapped up the win for the Eaglets.
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With the win, Nigeria finished second in Group B with six points, one behind group winners Morocco while South Africa stay in third.
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Golden Eaglets survive
Ahead of the game against the South Africans, coach Nduka Ugbade demanded to see his boys be more effective and prolific following the painful defeat to Morocco.
However, the Eaglets started slow again against the Amajimbos and conceded another early goal against the South Africans.
With both teams looking for the win, Vicky Mkhawana broke the deadlock to give the Amajimbos a seventh minute lead.
Nigeria dominated the game thereafter but continued from where they stopped with several chances missed.
After several misses, Agada finally equalised just after the half-hour mark with a beautiful header off a corner. It was no less than they deserved too.
But just before the break, South Africa restored their lead with a solo goal from Siyabonga Mabena unleash a beauty to put the South Africans 2-1 at the break.
Light Eke quickly made it 2-2 just a minute after the break before Abdullahi completed the comeback after the hour mark to wrap up the win.
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