Nigeria’s Flying Eagles will face South Africa in the semi-finals of the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, and the high-stakes encounter is set for Thursday, May 15.
The fixture was confirmed after South Africa edged DR Congo 1-0 after extra time in Monday’s quarterfinals.
Thabang Mahlangu came off the bench to score the decisive goal in the final moments of the first half of extra time, sealing a hard-earned win for the Amajita and booking their place in the last four.
Just like Nigeria, the South Africans have also secured qualification for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile.
With four semifinalists guaranteed a spot, South Africa joins Nigeria, Egypt, and Morocco on the list of African representatives for the global tournament.
The Flying Eagles advanced to the semifinals on Sunday after a tense goalless draw against reigning champions Senegal.
The match stretched into extra time and was ultimately decided by penalties, with Nigeria triumphing 3-1 in the shootout thanks to key saves by goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt.
Thursday’s clash will reignite a historic rivalry between the two nations at the youth level.
Their most notable recent encounter came during the 2019 third-place playoff, where South Africa beat Nigeria on penalties to clinch bronze. That result avenged their 2-1 loss to Nigeria at the same stage in 2009.
Elsewhere in the competition, host nation Egypt booked their semifinal berth with a dramatic 5-4 penalty shootout win over Ghana after their match ended 2-2 in regulation and extra time.
Morocco also sealed progression and a World Cup slot by defeating Sierra Leone 1-0.
Flying Eagles now have their sights firmly set on an eighth crown and their first since 2015, as they prepare for a fierce semifinal test against South Africa.
