Nigeria U-17 Eaglets battled to a 3-2 win over South Africa U-17 to reach the quarter-final of this year’s U-17 AFCON competition in Algeria.
Nigeria dominated proceedings at the Stade Mohamed Hamaloui in Constantine on Saturday night but had to comeback on two occasions before taking the lead and holding on to finish second in group B.
It was South Africa who took an early lead when Vikky Mkhawana reacted quickest to fire home from close range after a header came back off the bar in the sixth minute.
Nigeria responded by pilling pressure on the opposition defence and got due reward when Charles Agada headed home in the 34th minute.
With few seconds to the end of the first half, Siyabonga Mabena restored South Africa’s lead with a solo effort that graced the bar before landing just over the line.
Nigeria trailed 1-2 at the break.
With few seconds into the second half, however, Light Eke restored parity with a goal before Abubakar Abdullahi converted a brilliant low cross from Emmanuel Michael to complete the comeback and give Nigeria a 3-2 lead.
The Golden Eaglets dominated possession as South Africa were made to defend cautiously. Eke was inches away from scoring a stunner after he twisted and turned inside the box before unleashing a rocket which came back off the crossbar.
Following the impressive comeback win, Nigeria secured all three points to book their place in the quarterfinals of the competition. In the other group game, Zambia claimed a shock 2-1 win over Morocco, who finished top of the group.
