By Victor Kanayo
Nigeria have eventually booked a quarter-final place in the ongoing U17 Africa Cup of Nations, after coming from behind to see off South Africa in the last group B match at Constantine, Algeria.
The game which was decided on Saturday night, saw the Nigerian side also known as Golden Eaglets come from behind twice to edge the Amajimbo of South Africa.
How The South African Cookies Crumbled Twice
Nigeria, five-time World Cup champions, who pipped Zambia 1-0 in their opening match but then lost by the same margin to Morocco in their second game, fell behind as early as the 6th minute when the Amajimbo drew first blood by converting from their very first corner kick.
The Eaglets had the ball in the net four minutes later but it was ruled off-side. They continued to knock as Tockukwu Ogbadibo’s shot proved too weak to trouble the opposing goalkeeper and Light Eke’s header missed target.
Charles Agada, who also had been knocking on the door, brought Nigeria level in the 33rd minute when he nodded into the net from a corner kick with South Africa’s goalkeeper in no man’s land.
South Africa shot ahead once more but Light Eke restored Nigeria into the game two minutes after the restart.
Abubakar Abdullahi shot Nigeria into the lead for the first time in the match in the 63rd minute, and it remained that way as the Eaglets finished with six points and in second place in Group B, behind Morocco who also ended with six points but with superior goals difference.
Quarter-finalists From Group B
In the other group encounter, Zambia also came from behind to beat Morocco 2-1, but that wasn’t enough for them to go through the last eight.
Rather, it was Morocco, group table toppers and Nigeria that pulled through.
Both countries will now wait to see who their opponents will become after the other group matches are decided.
