World Cup-bound Amajita sink Nigeria to claim bronze

South Africa beat Nigeria 5-3 on penalties following a goalless 90 minutes to win the third place match at the ongoing Total Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Niger.

Amajita’s goalkeeper Walter Kubheka saved Adamu Ibrahim Alhassan’s penalty as the South Africans converted their five spot kicks to edge the seven-time champions to third place.

The two sides cancelled each other at the Stade General Seyni Kountche in the Nigerien capital Niamey.

The Flying Eagles dominated the opening stages of the match which saw very few scoring opportunities from either side.

Paschal Durugbor came close to breaking the deadlock on the half hour mark, but his header from a corner missed the target.

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South Africa, who were very solid in defense with their quick counter attacks, intercepted a pass in midfield through Ngcobo who threaded a neat ball to Shangase just outside the area but he failed to beat his marker as Nigeria regrouped.

The Nigerians pressed the Amajita in the closing stages of the first period with quick exchanges in front of the opponents' half but South Africa managed to defend and clear the danger.

Aliyu Ibrahim was presented with Nigeria’s first real opportunity five minutes before the break but he failed to test the keeper when he fired over the goal.

The Oasis FC forward saw his acrobatic overhead kick saved by Kubheka on the hour mark as Thabo Senong’s team maintained their solid defensive approach.

Substitute Nazifi Yahaya latched on to a cross from the left but failed to hit the target after Walter Kubheka misjudged the delivery.

The Amajita continued to defend well and forced the match to a nerve-racking penalties shootout which they eventually won 5-3.

The two teams, alongside Senegal and Mali, will be the continent’s representatives at the Fifa Under-20 World Cup in Poland in May.

Mali and Senegal will battle for the top prize on Sunday in Niamey as the biennial tournament reaches its climax.

POST-MATCH REACTIONS

Paul Osahon Aigbogun (Head Coach, Nigeria);

“Unfortunately we couldn’t score during the 90 minutes and it goes to penalties like the semifinal and it’s anybody’s game and unfortunately we lost.”

“I don’t think you can train penalties well; our first penalty taker lost and he has been taking all our penalties.

Thabo Senong (Head Coach, South Africa);

“I’m happy for my boys because they won the match and we played against a very good team.”

“For us it was just to rotate the squad a bit and give some players caps and to approach the game with a winning mentality.”