The CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations semifinal stage is set as Nigeria and South Africa prepare for a high-stakes showdown after hard-fought victories in their respective quarterfinal matches.
According to Soccernet.ng, Nigeria’s Flying Eagles secured their place with a 3-1 penalty shootout win over defending champions Senegal after a goalless 120 minutes. Goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt was the standout performer, making crucial saves to guide his team through.
South Africa’s Amajita also needed extra time to overcome DR Congo. Substitute Thabang Mahlangu scored the decisive goal late in the first half of extra time, clinching a narrow 1-0 win.
With both teams now qualified for the FIFA U20 World Cup, attention turns to their much-anticipated semifinal clash. The rivalry between these two nations adds weight to the encounter, especially after South Africa edged Nigeria in a 2019 third-place match via penalties. That victory avenged their earlier 2-1 loss to Nigeria at the same stage in 2009.
The Flying Eagles remain the most successful team in the history of the tournament with seven titles. They aim to add another trophy, their first since 2015. South Africa, meanwhile, are seeking their maiden U20 AFCON title, having come closest in 1997 when they finished as runners-up to Morocco.
Elsewhere, Morocco will face Egypt in the other semifinal. Morocco defeated debutants Sierra Leone 1-0 in extra time, while hosts Egypt won a penalty shootout against Ghana after a 2-2 draw in regulation time.
“Ebenezer Harcourt ended it here!” — CAF_Online via X
Article updated 1 month ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
