South Africa Beat Nigeria 1-0 to Reach U-20 AFCON Final

South Africa defeated Nigeria’s Flying Eagles 1-0 in a tight semi-final on Thursday at the Suez Canal Stadium to book their place in the final of the CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

The only goal of the match came in the 66th minute when Tylon Smith scored with a well-placed header from a corner. His goal proved enough to settle the contest between two of Africa’s strongest youth teams.

The result ends Nigeria’s hopes of winning a record-extending eighth U-20 AFCON title.

The Flying Eagles had more of the ball in the second half and created several chances but were unable to find the back of the net. South African goalkeeper Fletcher Lowe made key saves late in the game, stopping efforts from Emmanuel Chukwu and Israel Ayuma.

Both teams started the match cautiously, with few clear chances in the first half. Nigeria’s Tahir Maigana and South Africa’s Kutlwano Letlhaku had early shots saved, and the first half ended goalless.

South Africa took the lead just after the hour mark when Neo Rapoo delivered a corner from the right, and Smith rose highest to head the ball into the centre of the goal — his first goal of the tournament.

Nigeria quickly made two substitutions in the 65th minute to boost their attack. Rickson Mendos and Bidemi Amole both came close to scoring as Nigeria pushed for an equaliser.

Ayuma had two big chances, including a diving header that was brilliantly saved by Lowe. But South Africa stayed strong at the back and controlled the midfield well to see out the match.

The win sends South Africa into their second-ever U-20 AFCON final — their first since 1997 when they finished as runners-up.

For Nigeria, it’s a third straight semi-final defeat in the tournament, following losses to Gambia in 2023 and Mali in 2019.