AFCON U-20:South Africa force F/Eagles to goalless draw


Nigeria’s Flying Eagles hope of securing ticket to the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland on Tuesday were temporarily put on hold as their counterpart from south Africa ,Amajita held them to a goalless draw in their second Group A game

The result leaves Group A wide open. Nigeria’s Flying were the only side that had chance of qualifying for the semi-finals with a win on matchday-two.

It was the first game of the tournament that ended without a goal scored. Nigeria began their campaign with a 2-0 win over Burundi, while Amajita drew 1-1 with the host in their Group A opener over the weekend

Paul Aigbogun’s side dominated possession and created three good chances to score but they were all denied by outstanding South Africa’s goalkeeper, Khulekani Kubheka.

Abubakar Ibrahim, Maxwell Effiom and Nazifi Yahaya were all denied by Kubhekwa.

The Amajita of South Africa also had their chance in the first half but Olawale Oremade was brave to get off his line to deny Siphesihle Mkhize.

Amajita struggled to get out of their own half for most of the encounter deploying more men in defence to curtail the rampaging forwards of the Flying Eagles.

Nigeria had to wait until the final minutes of the second half to carve out chances, but Amajita goalkeeper Kubheka produced a couple of key saves to ensure South Africa earned a hard-fought draw.

Despite the draw, the seven time winners of the competition remain top of group A with four points from two games while South Africa are second with two points from the same number of games.

Nigeria will face hosts, Niger in their final group game on Friday while South Africa will battle Burundi also on Friday.

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