Amagluglug Olympic Dream Inches Closer After Afcon Semis Qualification

South Africa secured a much needed point to advance to the semifinals of the 2019 Africa Under-23 Cup of Nations after a goalless draw against Nigeria in their final group B game on Friday evening.

They will now hope to finish in the top three at the tournament and seal a place at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games as they meet hosts Egypt on Tuesday.

South Africa finish as runners-up in Group B with 5 points, as Ivory Coast claimed top spot with 6 points following a 1-0 victory over Zambia in the other match and Nigeria, the defending champions bowed out of the tournament.

Ivory Coast meet Ghana in the other semi-final.

It is now make or break for the remaining teams as there is now an added incentive of Olympic qualification with only one team from the remaining 4 suffering the heartache of missing out on the Olympics.

South Africa coach David Notoane was full of praise for his charges qualifying for the semis though he woukd have opted for an Egyptian final.

“I am happy with how the boys played in this match. We knew that we only needed a win or a draw in order for us to go through the next round and I am glad that we were able achieve that. Ideally, I would have loved to face Egypt in the final, however, the gods of football decided otherwise.” Notoane said.

By Gerald Dandah