U17 AFCON: Nigeria's Golden Eaglets beat South Africa in a dramatic comeback, progress to Final 8 - Algeria 2023

By Emmanuel Oladele - The Golden Eaglets of Nigeria fought back twice to beat the South Africa U-17 on Saturday in the matchday 3 of the ongoing 2023 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations in Algeria.

Vicky Mkhawana opened scoring for the South Africans in the first six minutes of the encounter before Adah Agada restored parity to the Golden Eaglets in the 34th minute. In the added time of the first half South African forward Mabena tears apart the Nigerian defence, sending home a superb goal to restore the lead for his side and to end the first half with the South Africans taking the lead.

In the opening minute of the second half at the Stade Mohamed-Hamlaoui in Constantine, Golden Eaglets star Eke got an equaliser for the Nduka Ugbade's led side to take scoreline to 2-2 in the 46th minute.

In the 64th minute of the game, Idris Abdullahi put Nigeria ahead for the first time in the game with a brilliant goal. The Nigerians held onto their lead for the remaining minutes of the game, thereby finishing the encounter on a 3-2 scoreline. The Golden Eaglets of Nigeria attacked from the start of the game to the end of the game. See detail below;

ALGERIA 2023 U-17 AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS MATCHDAY 3 

• Sat. 06/05/2023. South Africa U-17  2-3   Nigeria U-17 - Full-time

Goals

• Vicky Mkhawana ⚽6' - South Africa

• Charles Adah Agada 34' - Nigeria

• Siyabonga Mabena ⚽45+3' - South Africa

• Eke ⚽46' - Nigeria

• Idris Abdullahi ⚽64' - Nigeria

After the win on Saturday, Nigeria finished second on Group B table and are through to the quarter-final, see Group B final table below;

GROUP B FINAL STANDINGS

Morocco and Nigeria are through to the quarter-final, but South Africa will have to wait for the outcome of the final Group game in Group C to confirm their place in the final 8. Meanwhile, Zambia have been eliminated after finishing fourth in Group B, despite beating Morocco by 2-1 on Saturday in matchday 3.