Nigeria’s Flying Eagles were beaten 1-0 by South Africa in the U20 Africa Cup of Nations semi-final at the Suez Canal Stadium in Egypt on Thursday, Afrosport reports.
A brilliant header from defender Tylon Smith in the 66th minute was enough to hand the Amajita the win as they returned to the tournament final for the first time in 28 years.
The match between two of African football’s powerhouses was largely dominated by the Flying Eagles, who were made to rue their missed opportunities as their bid for a record-extending eighth U20 AFCON title came to a halt.
Full-Time
Amajitas edge it in a thriller semi-final!
#TotalEnergiesAFCONU20 pic.twitter.com/8IMpvrrE3z
— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) May 15, 2025
Nigeria’s Tahir Maigana and South Africa’s Kutlwano Letlhaku came close for either side in the first half, which ended goalless despite the Flying Eagles’ dominance.
However, Aliyu Zubairu’s side was punished for their wastefulness in front of the goal as Smith rose highest for his first goal of the tournament, nodding home a cross from Neo Rapoo six minutes after the hour mark.
The Flying Eagles turned up their intensity, forcing great saves from an inspired Fletcher Lowe, who was on hand to deny the Nigerian quartet of Rickson Mendos, Bidemi Amole, Emmanuel Chukwu, and Israel Ayuma, who had his diving header brilliantly thwarted by the South African goalkeeper.
The Amajita, however, held on despite the offensive barrage from Nigeria to remain unbeaten in their last five matches in the tournament and last four at the Suez Canal Stadium.
Amajitas are in the Final!
#TotalEnergiesAFCONU20 pic.twitter.com/GaK2s8Kvxz
— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) May 15, 2025
They will play in the final for the first time since 1997, when they finished as runners-up, while Nigeria suffered a third consecutive semi-final defeat at the U20 AFCON, having recently lost to Gambia (2023) and Mali (2019).
South Africa, meanwhile, will be hoping to clinch their first U20 AFCON title when they face Morocco in the final after the young Atlas Lions beat hosts Egypt 1-0 in the other semi-final on Thursday thanks to a 77th-minute goal from Jones El-Abdellaoui.
