South Africa's hopes of qualifying for the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations knockout stage hangs by a thread after a 3-2 loss to Nigeria on Saturday night.
Amajimbos made only one change from their win over Zambia, as Xavier Jodamus joined Siyabonga Mabena, Michael Dokumnu and Vicky Mkhawana in attack.
South Africa had a perfect start after Mkhawana gave them the lead within six minutes from the off with a close-range shot from a rebound after Waylon Renecke's initial strike struck the post.
It was end to end attacks after that, with both sides creating chances but Nigeria finally got the equaliser ten minutes before the break thanks to a header by Charles Agada following a corner.
As the game continued to open up, Mabena restored the lead for Duncan Crowie's charges on the stroke of half-time with a shot into the top corner after a through ball by Mkhawana from a quick counter-attack.
It took only four minutes after the break for the Golden Eaglets to respond again as Light Eke fired home a close-range shot from a cross by Charles Agada.
Amajimbos had decent chances going forward after that as Benjamin Wallis and Mabena both came very close within a short space of time against the run of play.
However, Nigeria were decisive and precise again from their crosses as Abubakar Abdullahi gave them a 3-2 lead just after the hour-mark after he buried a delivery from Emmanuel Michael.
As South Africa pushed to rescue the game in the last ten minutes, they introduced the fresh legs of Bennet Mokoena in place of Mkhawana upfront.
However, Nigeria were the more threatening side in the dying minutes as Eke hit the crossbar and was denied by goalkeeper Gennaro Johnson in quick succession.
In the end, the Golden Eaglets held on to a win that saw them qualify for the knockout stages while South Africa will now wait for the outcome of Cameroon's clash against Burkina Faso on Sunday to determine their fate.
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