Amajita's historic win: South Africa defeat Nigeria to reach Under-20 Afcon final
Amajita beat Nigeria Tylon Smith celebrates with teammates after scoring South Africa's winning goal during their CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations on Thursday. Photo: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
Tylon Smith scored the only goal of the game as South Africa beat Nigeria 1-0 to advance to the final of the CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Cairo on Thursday.
Smith's 66th minute header was enough to earn the win and send Amajita, who had already qualified for the Under-20 World Cup, into the final of the tournament. South Africa will take on the winner of the second semi-final between Morocco and hosts Egypt.
In a tight encounter, South Africa's discipline at the back proved to be the deciding factor against a Flying Eagles side that looked the better team on the night. The Nigerians had 21 shots at goal, compared to South Africa's six, and saw more of the ball. But, they weren't able to breach Fletcher Smythe-Lowe's goal.
The 18-year-old Smythe-Lowe produced a number of top saves to deny Emmanuel Chukwu and Israel Ayuma from scoring for the Nigerians.
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