Under-20 AFCON: South Africa vs Nigeria player ratings－ Yakub’s mistake proves costly, Arierhi fires blanks

The Flying Eagles of Nigeria have been knocked out of the 2025 Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations after a disappointing 1-0 loss to South Africa in the semifinal, Soccernet.ng reports.

Coach Aliyu Zubairu’s lads produced what was one or their best performances at the Under-20 AFCON. The quality of Nigeria’s game play was really good, as the Flying Eagles showed some chemistry and bossed the game.

The only thing this set of Flying Eagles knows how to do best is to press/possess ball. They can’t shoot. Even when they shoot, they’ll still misfire.

Serious work needs to be done on the team ahead of the World Cup.

It is well. https://t.co/pVItwtpaWu

— Stephen Olabode (@i_am_osmart) May 15, 2025

The Amajita did not even get enough breathing space in the game. However, Nigeria paid for their indecisiveness, as South Africa capitalized on Ebenezer Harcourt’s injury and scored a fortunate goal.

Soccernet.ng rates the performances of the players who were on duty for Nigeria.

South Africa vs Nigeria: Flying Eagles player ratings
Ebenezer Harcourt 6.8/10: The 15-year-old shot-stopper had pretty little to do in the first half, as Nigeria dominated the game. He made just one save in the first half.

However, he did the little things well. It was a pretty good game for him until he had to be subbed off early on in the second half.

Ajia Yakub 5/10: The goalkeeper entered the game as Harcourt’s replacement. Unfortunately for him, his mistake caused South Africa’s game and ultimately cost Nigeria the game.

Goal! Tylon Smith in the 66th minute pic.twitter.com/lQM9ew5Jns

— SAFA.net (@SAFA_net) May 15, 2025

Yakub made one save in the game, but that was not enough to cover his blushes.

Daniel Bameyi 6.8/10: The Flying Eagles skipper still had a good game as usual. He commanded his team well and defended brilliantly. Perhaps, if not for Yakub’s mistake, Nigeria would have gotten something from the game.

Emmanuel Chukwu 6.7/10: Chukwu had a good game for Nigeria. His partnership with Bameyi was good once more, but they were breached under fortuitous circumstances. He also ventured forward a few times, and had a close attempt in the first half, but it went wide.

Odinaka Okoro 6/10: Odinaka Okoro had a decent showing for Nigeria. However, because he often ventured forward, the Amajita targeted his side of the pitch in most of their rare attacks. Still, it was a strong performance from the Sporting Lagos man

Adamu Maigari 6/10: The Flying Eagles defender had a decent game, but he did not offer much in the half of the South Africans. He looked solid defensively though, but he could not stop his side from conceding.

Divine Oliseh 6.5/10: Oliseh was just simply Oliseh. He was full of running, worked hard on both ends of the pitch, but still lacked the cutting edge or the final ball. Perhaps, if he had delivered a quality final pass on one or two occasions, Nigeria could have gotten a goal.

Israel Ayuma 6.8/10: Ayuma had a very good game in the middle of the park. His presence added some calm to Nigeria’s midfield, and his passing was very good. The Istra 1961 man was very active at both ends of the pitch.

Sulaiman Alabi 6.4/10: Alabi had a decent game for the Flying Eagles. He strung up some nice combination plays with Ayuma and Jephta on some occasions, but he failed to do anything meaningful with the ball.

Tahir Maigana 6.5/10: Maigana had a good game for Nigeria too. In fact, it was probably his best performance in the competition. Still, he just lacked the cutting edge on some occasions.

Kparobo Arierhi 6/10: Arierhi had an average outing for Nigeria. He looked very lively and got into some nice positions. But he failed to convert his chances.

For a player who wants to be Nigeria’s top nine in a few years, he should be more prolific in front of goal.

Clinton Jephta 6.7/10: The 18-year-old winger had a good game on the right side of Nigeria’s attack. He was a live spark for the Flying Eagles and creates some nice opportunities. However, some of his final balls were not good. Enough.