Third-place Play-off

Today

Nigeria  v  S. Africa 1500

Five-time African Youth title winners Nigeria take on South Africa in the battle for a third-place play-off this afternoon at Nyamirambo stadium, Kigali.

The Flying Eagles failed to live to their pre-tournament favourites’ tag to win the 16th African Youth Championship for their unprecedented sixth title.

Beaten finalists two years ago, Nigeria were beaten 2-0 by their traditional archrivals Cameroon in the semifinal on Wednesday while South Africa’s Amajita Stars lost 3-4 to Ghana’s Black Satellites in the other semi-final played.

Nigeria takes South Africa in a repeat of the Group B clash which saw the Amajita Stars whip the Flying Eagles 2-1.

Neither of the teams will want to lose out on the bronze medal after disappointing defeats in the semi-finals and it will also be a difficult game as the Nigerians will be trying to overturn the defeat encountered in the group stage against the South Africans.

The South Africans known for their sleek, fast football and one of its kind in this championship will be aiming at making a solid touching in the making of history to record a defeat against Nigeria, be on junior or senior level in a space of 20 years.

Coach Letsoaka Serame said that he expects his boys to display a better performance contrary to what was experienced in their 3-4 loss to Ghana in the semi-finals.

"The boys are now in good shape and they know what is at stake by defeating Nigeria again. It will be a different game because we have managed to clearly study their game,” Serame said, adding that he expects a balanced game.

Nigeria’s coach Ladan Bosso said that his side can not afford to lose twice to South Africa and is going into today’s game to win.

"Our game against South Africa will be different and I will still maintain the same squad that played Cameroon in the semi-finals,” Bosso said, adding that if the tactical strategy is maintained, Nigeria will emerge winners.

The match will be handled by Ragab Omar Mohamed (Libya) who will be assisted by Hussein Bugembe (Uganda) and Djoukere Biagui (Togo) on the sides while Keita Yakhouba (Guinea) is a reserve referee and Bruno Didavi (Benin) is the match commissioner.

Ends