The Golden Eaglets earned an automatic qualification spot to the quarterfinals of the ongoing 2023 Africa U17 Cup of Nations but they had to do it the hard way, coming from behind twice to earn a hard-fought 3-2 win over South Africa at the Mohamed Hamlaoui Stadium, Constantine on Saturday night.
With the victory, the five-time world champions finished second in Group B, level on six points with leaders Morocco who have a better goal difference and defeated them in their opener.
Charles Agada and Light Eke canceled out goals from Vicky Mkhawana and Siyabonga Mabena, before Abubakar Abdullahi sneaked in between two Amajimbos defenders to score what proved to be the winning goal in the 65th minute.
Nigeria U17 head coach Nduka Ugbade singled out three South African players he felt were outstanding during the game, including the hardworking and skillful Vitesse midfielder Michael Dokunmu, who has Nigerian blood flowing in his veins.
In the post-match press conference, Ugbade said : “It was a really tough match because South Africa is a really good team and they gave us a tough time.
“They have three players that are really good; Mabena (Siyabonga), Mkhawana (Vicky) and Dokunmu (Michael).
“They are very talented players and I was honestly scared of them at first.”
Two-time African champions Nigeria will face the second placed team from Group C, either Burkina Faso or Cameroon, in the quarterfinals on Thursday, May 11 at the Nelson Mandela Stadium, Algiers.
