South Africa Cuts The Wings Golden Eaglets

The Golden Eaglets attempt to return to the
pinnacle of Africa U-17 championship was
thwarted a second time as the Amajimbos of
South Africa shocked them to a 1 – 0 defeat to
reach the final of the CAF U-17 championship.
Eric Mayo's low cracker inside the box on 26min­
utes proving decisive in this exhilarating first
semi-final at the Seyni Kountche.

Reigning world U17 champions Nigeria rallied in
the second half, hitting the wood-work twice and
drawing at least two good saves from South
African goalkeeper Mondli Mpoto.
But the Amajimbos held on to reach their first
final at this junior level. Reeve Peter Frosler was in
excellent form at the back and combining well
with skipper Keanu Gregory, kept the menacing
Eaglets at bay throughout the match. In moments
when the Eaglets breached the backline, goalie
Mpoto was in superb form, thwarting everything
Nigeria threw at him.

After Mayo's goal and as the Nigerians poured for­
ward in search of an equalizer, Mpoto saved well
from Chukwueze Samuel, whose runs and exciting
dribbling skills kept the South African backline on
their heels throughout the match. Striker Victor
James Osimeh hit the woodwork as did Christian
Charles and with just under three minutes
remaining and the Eaglets "nesting" in the
Amajimbos yard, exciting playmaker Ntuthuko
Mbatha blasted a glorious effort over the bar
while striker Luvuyo Ketlego Mkatshana also
wasted his close range effort.
It was the first match the Eaglets failed to score at
the 2015 championships having come from the
group stages with two victories over Niger and
Zambia, 2-0 and 3-1 respectively and a one all
draw against Guinea.

South Africa came off the group stages with iden­
tical 2-2 draws against Cote d'Ivoire and Mali and
a 3-1 win over Cameroon.
Amajimbos now await the winner of today's semi-
final between Mali and Guinea to complete the
equation for Sunday's final to be contested at the
Seyni Kountche.