NewStats: 3,264,682 , 8,184,410 topics. Date: Thursday, 12 June 2025 at 02:43 AM 11r2z

6382y

South Africa Defeats Nigeria To Reach U-20 AFCON 2025 Final - Sports - Nairaland 6rwh

South Africa Defeats Nigeria To Reach U-20 AFCON 2025 Final (9724 Views)

(4)

(1) Go Down)

InfoGuru118: 5:24am On May 16
South Africa’s U-20 team, the Amajita, secured a place in the final of the CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations Egypt 2025 after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Nigeria in a tense semi-final clash at the Suez Canal Stadium on Thursday, News360 Nigeria reports.

A decisive 66th-minute header from Tylon Smith, his first of the tournament, proved to be the match-winner.

The forward rose highest to nod in Neo Rapoo’s well-delivered corner, sending the Amajita into their first final since 1997.

The defeat ended Nigeria’s hopes of claiming a record-extending eighth U-20 AFCON title.

It also marked the Flying Eagles’ third consecutive semi-final exit, having crashed out at the same stage to Gambia in 2023 and Mali in 2019.

Though Nigeria enjoyed better possession and created several chances, particularly in the second half, they were repeatedly denied by South African goalkeeper Fletcher Lowe.

The shot-stopper produced a series of outstanding saves in the closing moments to frustrate Emmanuel Chukwu and Israel Ayuma, ensuring his side’s slender lead remained intact.

The match began cautiously, with both teams struggling to create clear chances. Early efforts from Nigeria’s Tahir Maigana and South Africa’s Kutlwano Letlhaku failed to trouble either goalkeeper as the first half ended goalless.

After the break, Nigeria looked the brighter of the two sides and made attacking changes in the 65th minute, introducing Rickson Mendos and Bidemi Amole.

The substitutions sparked a flurry of opportunities for the Flying Eagles, with Ayuma’s diving header being the closest attempt, only for Lowe to make a stunning save.

South Africa displayed impressive defensive resilience and composure to withstand Nigeria’s late pressure, closing out the match to remain unbeaten at the Suez Canal Stadium.

The win secured their second-ever appearance in a U-20 AFCON final, with the team already booking their ticket to the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup. The Amajita will now chase their first continental crown when they step out for Sunday’s final.

https://news360ng.com/south-africa-edge-nigeria-to-reach-u-20-afcon-2025-final/

1 Like

gwanggaeto(m): 5:32am On May 16
Congratulations to them, better luck next time for Nigeria

15 Likes

nairalanda1(m): 5:34am On May 16
Sad, but the silver lining in the cloud of loss is that we qualified for the world cup.

We got work to do before we go to Chile in September. Especially in the striker department.

13 Likes

geoworldedu: 5:37am On May 16
It's the revenge of the Ninja. Our senior boys plucked out their senior boys in the AFCON senior and went to the final only to lose to Ivory Coast. I hope these young bafana bafana will also lose in the final to whichever team to balance the equation.

5 Likes

Racoon(m): 5:42am On May 16
Hard luck guys but you gave it your best. So better luck next time. Congratulations SA.

6 Likes

olaiya2007(m): 5:42am On May 16
Eeyah
Lionessza6(f): 5:46am On May 16
Congratulations to our lazy boys who continue to improve in almost every important indice. And better luck next time to the mouth-hardworkers who continue to sink lower and faster in almost every indice grin grin grin grin. No be by mouth grin grin

4 Likes 1 Share

GanagiBitrus: 5:52am On May 16
Consolation is that they've already clinched the u20 WC ticket.

4 Likes

Sonnobax15(m): 6:00am On May 16
GanagiBitrus:
Consolation is that they've already clinched
the u20 WC ticket.
And they will go and disgrace us globally again angry. It'd be more better for our mental health if they don't just go to the world cup abeg angry

4 Likes

Brandiebird: 6:01am On May 16
Lionessza6:
Congratulations to our lazy boys who continue to improve in almost every important indice. And better luck next time to the mouth-hardworkers who continue to sink lower and faster in almost every indice grin grin grin grin. No be by mouth grin grin

You just woke up and the first thought you had was to insult Nigeria. Not even morning sex! Straight to war! grin grin grin

Some people think they need attention when in fact they need serious therapy cry

2 Likes

Lionessza6(f): 6:15am On May 16
Brandiebird:


You just woke up and the first thought you had was to insult Nigeria. Not even morning sex! Straight to war! grin grin grin

Some people think they need attention when in fact they need serious therapy cry

I'm jobless and dyck-less....but I do have a phone and data grin grin grin.

And I'll use those as my therapy grin grin grin... nothing heals my depression faster than seeing our drunk and lazy men continue to trash the sober- hardworkers of Africa in almost all positive indices grin grin grin grin. Results vs chesb-thumping grin grin grin

4 Likes

DeltaBachelor(m): 6:24am On May 16
Ok
Ofekongsk(m): 6:28am On May 16
And the yeye Nigerian team been dey make mouth before the match begin.
undecided

2 Likes

adrainuche(m): 6:29am On May 16
i never see where SA defeat Nigeria i told you guys this is probably the worst Nigerian team in football history both men and women in any aged or senior competition, the coaching is abysmal the selection of players is treacherous .. the only stand out player is the left back okoro ..

4 Likes 1 Share

louken(m): 6:31am On May 16
geoworldedu:
It's the revenge of the Ninja. Our senior boys plucked out their senior boys in the AFCON senior and went to the final only to lose to Ivory Coast. I hope these young bafana bafana will also lose in the final to whichever team to balance the equation.
grin cheesy
Wishful thinking

1 Like

GanagiBitrus: 6:33am On May 16
Sonnobax15:
And they will go and disgrace us globally again angry. It'd be more better for our mental health of they don't just go to the world cup abeg angry
No. That can not be be better.
At least it's opportunity for the players to market themselves to bigger clubs.

If you have mental health issues, then stay away from watching them. smiley

3 Likes 1 Share

robosky02(m): 6:48am On May 16
Issoright
RightChannel: 6:58am On May 16
That keeper na useless goalie I've seen in my life. Had it been Harcourt was not injured, SA won't beat those guys. Imagine goalkeeper catching air!

1 Like

Antichristian2: 7:03am On May 16
So sad but such is life!
femi4: 7:17am On May 16
InfoGuru118:


https://news360ng.com/south-africa-edge-nigeria-to-reach-u-20-afcon-2025-final/
The boys were poor.

I ve never seen a disted u20 representing Nig like this before. The gk gave the goal away on a silver platter.

To do well at the world cup, the team needs to be fortified..else we are coming home early

2 Likes

Usmanovic95(m): 7:18am On May 16
RightChannel:
That keeper na useless goalie I've seen in my life. Had it been Harcourt was not injured, SA won't beat those guys. Imagine goalkeeper catching air!

It is not the keeper's fault that the attackers failed to score a goal.
RightChanneI: 7:33am On May 16
Usmanovic95:


It is not the keeper's fault that the attackers failed to score a goal.

The only goal in that match was caused by Nigeria goalie, did you watched the match? Goalkeeper catching air!
Uptown444: 7:34am On May 16
Tinubu is not Good luck
MorataFC: 7:37am On May 16
GanagiBitrus:

No. That can not be be better.
At least it's opportunity for the players to market themselves to bigger clubs.

If you have mental health issues, then stay away from watching them. smiley
nice response

1 Like

ZaddyJ: 7:43am On May 16
cheesy
OracleJay411: 7:52am On May 16
With their overage players they still got defeated..

1 Like

LARRYOBRAIN(m): 8:02am On May 16
I knew
Jd10k(m): 8:16am On May 16
Nigeria for the world cup
killuminati(m): 8:18am On May 16
geoworldedu:
It's the revenge of the Ninja. Our senior boys plucked out their senior boys in the AFCON senior and went to the final only to lose to Ivory Coast. I hope these young bafana bafana will also lose in the final to whichever team to balance the equation.
I saw the game yesterday (was it?) live on sporty, high odds for the Bafanas. But I can't stake against my people. sad
Segzy19: 8:24am On May 16
Tula wena!
😁😜

Lionessza6:
Congratulations to our lazy boys who continue to improve in almost every important indice. And better luck next time to the mouth-hardworkers who continue to sink lower and faster in almost every indice grin grin grin grin. No be by mouth grin grin
Tradepunter2: 8:30am On May 16
geoworldedu:
It's the revenge of the Ninja. Our senior boys plucked out their senior boys in the AFCON senior and went to the final only to lose to Ivory Coast. I hope these young bafana bafana will also lose in the final to whichever team to balance the equation.

They playing Morocco in the finals

(1) Reply)

Top 10 Nigerian Male Boxers

(Go Up)

Sections: How To . 28
Disclaimer: Every Nairaland member is solely responsible for anything that he/she posts or s on Nairaland.