The Nigeria Flying Eagles suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to South Africa in the semi-finals of the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) held at the Suez Canal Stadium in Egypt. The loss ended Nigeria’s campaign in the tournament and saw them miss out on a place in the final.
The match was a tense and closely fought affair, with both teams struggling to create clear-cut chances during regular time. It was not until the 115th minute of extra time that South Africa broke the deadlock. Evidence Makgopa capitalised on a defensive lapse by the Flying Eagles to score the decisive goal, securing South Africa’s passage to the final.
Also Read: U-20 AFCON: Flying Eagles Face South Africa in Semi-Final
Prior to this, Nigeria had shown resilience by defeating Senegal in a dramatic penalty shootout during the quarter-finals, which had earned them their semi-final berth. However, despite their determination, the Flying Eagles could not find a way past the South African defence in the crucial match.
The defeat means Nigeria will now contest the third-place play-off against Tunisia, with both teams aiming to finish the tournament on a high. Importantly, both Nigeria and South Africa have already qualified for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile by virtue of reaching the semi-finals.
South Africa’s victory marks a significant milestone in the development of their youth football, reflecting progress on the continental stage. Meanwhile, the Flying Eagles will look to regroup quickly and prepare for their final match in Egypt, hoping to secure a podium finish and build momentum for the upcoming World Cup.
