Nigeria and South Africa are set to clash in the semi-final of the ongoing U20 Africa Cup of Nations to be played at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia, Egypt.
The Flying Eagles made it into the last four after beating Senegal 3-1 on penalties after a goalless draw in both regulation and extra time. Amajiita scored in extra time to get a 1-0 win over the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The duo joined hosts Egypt and Morocco in the last four; the four teams have sealed their place in the U20 Fifa World Cup to be held in Chile from September 27 to October 19 this year.
Nigeria have struggled to win games
Things have not been flowing well for the Flying Eagles despite their quality. As a matter of fact, they have managed a single win in the last four matches. They defeated Tunisia by a solitary goal, drew 0-0 with Morocco, before getting another 2-2 draw with Kenya.
In the quarter-final, they played to a goalless draw with Senegal in both regulation and extra time before winning on penalties. That might boost Amajiita psychologically since it shows Nigeria attackers are not clinical. The South Africans have scored their goals from open play and will hope to do so again on Thursday.
Amajiita have nothing to lose
By virtue of reaching the last four, the Raymond Mdaka-led outfit have already sealed their place in the U20 Fifa World Cup that will be played later in the year. That is what they wanted to achieve when they qualified for the continental competition.
It means they will not be under pressure to get a result against Nigeria, which will make them even more dangerous. This will be the fourth meeting between the two teams in the competition; either team has won once, with the remaining match ending in a draw.
Is it South Africa's year?
Mzansi has been on the rise in international football; while Nigeria are struggling in their race to qualify for the 2026 Fifa World Cup, Bafana Bafana are just two wins away from dining with the big boys in the world for the first time since 2010.
In the almost ending continental club competitions, Stellenbosch reached the semi-final of the Caf Confederation Cup, while Orlando Pirates made it into the last four of the Caf Champions League, as Mamelodi Sundowns went all the way to set a final against Pyramids. Surely, Amajiita can draw motivation from that and get past Nigeria.
Good Amajiita defense can stop Flying Eagles
Despite the absence of Orlando Pirates teenager Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Amajiita have been doing well defensively. Yes, Nigeria have conceded two goals in four games while South Africa have let in three in five outings, but that takes nothing away from the latter.
It is their good defense that helped them qualify for the U20 Afcon, and that department can still stop them from scoring as they did against the physical Democratic Republic of Congo side. The flying Eagles will surely not get it easy in the final third.
The chemistry is good for Amajiita as opposed to Nigeria
The U20 South Africa team have been doing well owing to the chemistry they have by virtue of playing together for long. From the goalkeeping department to attack, the whole team looks like a well-oiled machine that works well without friction.
The teamwork might be just what they need to stop the seven-time champions from getting another title.
