South Africa beat Nigeria on penalties
South Africa beat Nigeria 5-3 on penalties following a goalless 90 minutes to win the third-place match in the Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Niger on Saturday.
Amajita's goalkeeper Walter Kubheka saved Adamu Ibrahim Alhassan's penalty as the South Africans converted their five spot kicks to edge the seven-time champions to third place.
The two sides could not find a goal during regulation play at the Stade General Seyni Kountche in the Nigerien capital Niamey.
The Flying Eagles dominated the opening stages of the match, which saw very few scoring opportunities for either side.
Nigeria's Paschal Durugbor came close to breaking the deadlock on the half-hour mark but his header from a corner missed the target.
South Africa were solid in defence and their quick counter-attack intercepted a pass in midfield through Ngcobo, who threaded a neat ball to Shangase just outside the area but he failed to beat his marker as Nigeria regrouped.
Aliyu Ibrahim was presented with Nigeria's first real opportunity five minutes before the break, but he failed to test the keeper when he fired over the goal.
The Oasis FC forward saw his acrobatic overhead kick saved by Kubheka on the hour mark, as Thabo Senong's team maintained their solid defensive approach.
Substitute Nazifi Yahaya latched onto a cross from the left, but failed to hit the target after Walter Kubheka misjudged the delivery.
Amajita continued to defend well and forced the match to penalties, in which they prevailed 5-3.
The two teams, alongside Senegal and Mali, will be the continent's representatives at the Under-20 World Cup in Poland in May.
Mali and Senegal will battle for the top prize in Niamey on Sunday as the biennial tournament reaches its climax.
NAMPA/ANA
Amajita's goalkeeper Walter Kubheka saved Adamu Ibrahim Alhassan's penalty as the South Africans converted their five spot kicks to edge the seven-time champions to third place.
The two sides could not find a goal during regulation play at the Stade General Seyni Kountche in the Nigerien capital Niamey.
The Flying Eagles dominated the opening stages of the match, which saw very few scoring opportunities for either side.
Nigeria's Paschal Durugbor came close to breaking the deadlock on the half-hour mark but his header from a corner missed the target.
South Africa were solid in defence and their quick counter-attack intercepted a pass in midfield through Ngcobo, who threaded a neat ball to Shangase just outside the area but he failed to beat his marker as Nigeria regrouped.
Aliyu Ibrahim was presented with Nigeria's first real opportunity five minutes before the break, but he failed to test the keeper when he fired over the goal.
The Oasis FC forward saw his acrobatic overhead kick saved by Kubheka on the hour mark, as Thabo Senong's team maintained their solid defensive approach.
Substitute Nazifi Yahaya latched onto a cross from the left, but failed to hit the target after Walter Kubheka misjudged the delivery.
Amajita continued to defend well and forced the match to penalties, in which they prevailed 5-3.
The two teams, alongside Senegal and Mali, will be the continent's representatives at the Under-20 World Cup in Poland in May.
Mali and Senegal will battle for the top prize in Niamey on Sunday as the biennial tournament reaches its climax.
NAMPA/ANA
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