Golden Eaglets celebrate victory (Photo: Google)
‘While the Eaglets tried to intensify attack towards the end of first half, South Africa’s Siyabonga Mabena powered home a powerful shot from outside the 18 yard area after rounding up three Nigerian defenders’
By Valentine Amanze
The Nduka Ugbade-managed U-17 Golden Eaglets came twice from behind to grab the quarter final ticket of the ongoing U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) by beating South African boys 3-2 in Constantine, Algeria on Saturday night, May 6, 2023.
The game was not easy for the young Nigerians, who conceded another early goal after a similar circumstance in their earlier Group B loss to Morocco. The Nigerian team scored an own goal in the second minute against Morocco.
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The South Africa’s Vicky Mkhawana gave his team the lead in the sixth minute in the final of the group’s match.
Golden Eaglets’ Charles Agada responded in the 34th minute to restore parity to give the Nigerian team hopes of qualification.
While the Eaglets tried to push forward towards the end of first half, South Africa’s Siyabonga Mabena powered home a powerful shot from outside the 18 yard area after rounding up three Nigerian defenders.
A minute after the resumption of the second half, Nigeria’s forward, Light Eke, equalized, while and Abubakar Abduallahi’s goal in the 64th minute sealed the victory for the Golden Eaglets.
The Golden Eaglets finished second on the log with six points. They had earlier defeated Zambia 1-0 in their first group match and lost to Morocco in the second encounter.
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