Nigeria’s Flying Eagles will take on South Africa in the semi-finals of the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations.
The pairing was confirmed after South Africa beat Democratic Republic of Congo 1-0 after extra-time in Monday’s quarter-finals.
Just like the Flying Eagles, the South Africans have qualified for this year’s FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile.
The two teams will meet on Thursday, May 15 to battle for a place in the final.
To get to the quarter-finals the Flying Eagles saw off champions Senegal 3-1 on penalty shootout after over 120 minutes of football ended 0-0.
Also Read: 2025 U-20 AFCON: Senegal Goalkeeper Wins MOTM Award Despite Defeat To Flying Eagles
South Africa and DR Congo Both put up a strong performance and battled for the win throughout the contest.
There was nothing to separate the two teams at the end of the 90 minutes despite the chances created in both the first and second half.
The breakthrough came in the first half of extra time with teenager Thabang Mahlangu scoring the only goal of the match to send DR Congo home.
Hosts Egypt edged out Ghana 5-4 on penalties after regulation time and extra-time ended 2-2 to secure the World Cup ticket.
Also in the semi-finals and a ticket to the World Cup is Morocco, who pipped Sierra Leone 1-0.
By James Agberebi
3 Comments
The team should play the best way they can and not be concerned about the referees action or decisions. We shall conquer.
Nigeria 0:0 Senegal (3:0 on Penalties) Retrospective Reflection
The Flying Eagles did exceptionally well to overcome an obdurate Senegal in the quarter finals thereby sealing their world cup qualification.
Though I remain unconvinced at their physical brand of football, it’s nonetheless difficult to be too critical of a system that constantly delivers the goods against the odds from opponents who themselves harbour ambitions.
Two players that caugh the eye against Senegal were Arierhi and Oliseh. They both burnt with excitement and fascinating ferocity. They were incandescent, bullish and fizzling in how they cover grounds, created openings and caused no end of headache for the Senegal defence line.
Shame these two couldn’t crown their efforts with the goals in open play that their devotion and dedication deserved.
The other players, as to be expected, gave an arm and a leg, and left everything in there in pursuit of their mission and objectives which paid off after Senegal were atrocious and abject in taking penalties.
The Flying Eagles will lose and regain possession like a yo-yo in this game. They were never one to give up on a lost cours: Like a child who never lets go of their toys and will do everything to keep their lollipop in their mouth.
I also have to mention goalkeeper Harcourt who, despite being rough around goalkeeping edges, turned up to produce some neat saves when called upon.
Long balls from defence to attack and crosses from the flanks served the Flying Eagles well in this encounter as these created openings that were almost exploited.
The team’s defence, in my humble opinion, is their shining light as they fought tooth and nail to halt opposition attacking initiatives. There were some close calls though but Senegal left their precision boots in the locker room.
What I found hilarious was the Flying Eagles’ failed attempts to weave intricate passes together in and around Senegal’s 18 yard box. These passes were poorly conceived and incompetently executed and were easily dismissed and dismantled by Senegal.
I will advise the Flying Eagles to stick to their long balls, through passes and speedy movements. They are clearly supremely fit and unbelievably energetic. The intelligence needed to dismantle defences with delicate routines is lost to this team.
Brawn, rather than brains, has brought the Flying Eagles this far, why change a winning strategy (haha!)?
Well done to the Flying Eagles. More lubricants to that engine that has powered this team this far with blinding speed, raw intensity and ferocious determination.
Well said I also don’t like their brand of football but then am a friend of positive results. Their physicality is just too much , I need to know their physicality trainer . Honestly if this coach can get five to six creative players and attacker they will surely bring the World Cup.