Nigeria's under seventeen male team are through to the quarter finals of the African Cup of Nations on going in Algeria after edging South Africa in their last group match on Saturday night, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
The Golden Eaglets came back twice to beat the Amajimbos three goals to two in a pulsating group B encounter at the Stade Mohammed Hamlaoui, Constantine.
Just like the loss to Morocco where the Eaglets early, the South Africa team also found the net as early as the 6th minute through Vicky Mkhawana who hit a defended ball brilliantly from a resulting corner into the net.
Four minutes later, the Nigeria team thought they had scored, but Charles Agada's effort was ruled offside by the centre referee.
Tochukwu Ogbadigbo and Light Eke had attempted to score, but to no avail until Agada finally scored to level proceedings in the 35th minute through a header from a corner kick.
South African returned to the groove as Siyabonga Mabena with a solo run, beat two Nigerian defenders before putting the ball beyond goalkeeper Richard Odoh as the half ended 2-1 in favour of South Africa.
In the second, the Eaglets wasted no time to get into the game as Light Eke levelled things in the 46 minute with an assist from Agada.
Abubakar Abdullahi completed the comeback in the 68th minute with a tap-in from Emmanuel Michael's cross to give his team victory.
By Uche Dozie