U17 AFCON 2015 Semi-Finals: Nigeria to Face South Africa
The semi-finals of the U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Niger 2015 kick off this Wednesday, with Nigeria set to take on South Africa in what promises to be an exciting clash between two teams that impressed during the group stage.
Nigeria, the defending world champions, topped their group with seven points after a strong showing. The Super Eaglets secured a 2-0 win over Niger, followed by a 1-1 draw with Guinea, and a 3-1 victory over Zambia. Under the leadership of coach Emmanuel Amunike, Nigeria is determined to add the continental title to their trophy collection.
The match will also feature a thrilling individual duel between two of the tournament’s top scorers. Nigeria’s captain, Kelechi Nwakali, has netted three goals so far, while South Africa’s Nelson Maluleke has been a key figure for the Amajimbos, scoring twice in the competition.
South Africa, who had a rocky start in the group stage, managed to qualify for the semi-finals on the final day with an impressive 3-1 victory over Cameroon. Earlier, they had drawn 2-2 with Ivory Coast and Mali. Despite their tough opening matches, the Amajimbos have shown resilience and are now eyeing a historic final appearance.
Both teams have demonstrated their quality in Niger, and scouts from top clubs are surely keeping a close eye on the emerging talents, with Nwakali and Maluleke leading the charge for their respective sides.
The semi-final encounter between Nigeria and South Africa promises to be a captivating showdown as both teams battle for a place in the final.
