Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets stumbled and fell to a 1-0 loss in the hands of South Africa’s Amajimbos in the semi-final of the CAF Under-17 championship in Niamey, Niger yesterday.

Eaglets

The Eaglets did not recover from a 26th minute strike in the game they clearly dominated on a day, they clearly ran out of luck.

The Emmanuel Amuneke coached lads had the opportunity to take the lead in the 11th minuted by a hesitant Victor Osimhen. He had the ball taken off his feet by the South African defence. Five minuted later Osimhen was knocking on the doors of the Amajimbos, but keeper Mondli Mpoto proved difficult to beat.

Eric Mayo punished the Eaglets in the 26th minute after he was put through. In the final five minutes of the first half, Kelechi Nwakali and Osimhen weren’t able to beat Mpoto with their efforts

After the break, Nigeria applied more urgency but Mpoto again denied them with his sharp reflex.

With the Golden Eaglets needing inspiration, head coach of the team, Emmanuel Amunike decided to introduce Christian Charles to add bite to the blunt attack.

Thirteen minutes to the end of the match in Niamey, Chukwueze Samuel who was through on goal missed a sitter.

Chukwueze had another chance to equalize but decided to hit his shot against a South African defender after beating three players.