U-20 AFCON: South Africa win bronze medal ahead of Nigeria

South Africa have won bronze medal following a 5-3 penalty win over Nigeria in the Total U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Niger.

Both teams failed to score in regulation time despite the numerous opportunities created leaving the match to be settled on penalties with South Africa emerging victors. 

South Africa's coach, Thabo Senong in his post-match presser expressed delight at his boys for beating seven-time champions Nigeria (1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 2005, 2011, 2015) to claim the third position.

“I’m happy for my boys because they won the match and we played against a very good team, Nigeria.”

“For us one was just to rotate the squad a bit and give some players caps and to approach the game with a winning mentality.”

Paul Osahon Aigbogun, head coach of Nigeria, however, believes the South Africans were lucky to win on the day.

“Unfortunately we couldn’t score during the ninety minutes and it goes to penalties like the semifinal and it’s anybody’s game and unfortunately we lost.”

“I don’t think you can train penalties well our first penalty taker lost and he has been taking all our penalties. 

Mali, Senegal, South Africa and Nigeria have all qualified to 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland in May as CAF representatives. 

Read also: U-20 AFCON: Ghana misses out on World Cup after Mali defeat