Football: Nigeria, South Africa, Morocco receive tough draws for FIFA U-20 World Cup knockout round
Three of Africa’s four representatives advance to last 16 at FIFA U-20 World Cup
What began as 24 teams has now been reduced to 16, as the FIFA U-20 World Cup heads into the knockout stages of the competition. The Round of 16 will run between October 7 and 9, while the quarter-finals get underway on October 11.
Africa have been done proud at the global competition, with three of the continent's four representatives - Nigeria, South Africa and Morocco - still in the running, while only Egypt failed to make it out of the group stage.
New Zealand, Egypt, Panama, Brazil, Australia, Cuba, New Caledonia and Saudi Arabia have been eliminated from the competition. All of the knockout games at the FIFA U-20 World Cup will be covered on our football livescore tool, so you do not miss a moment of the action.
Morocco was the clear standout African nation during the group stage, as they topped one of the toughest groups in the competition with victories against Spain and Brazil before a narrow defeat to Mexico.
South Africa secured their last 16 berth by finishing second in Group E, where we saw a three-way tie between Amajita, the United States and France. The US and South Africa took first and second place, respectively, on head-to-head goal difference.
Nigeria, meanwhile, advanced to the knockout stage as one of the best third-placed teams in the competition after holding Colombia to a 1-1 draw over the weekend. France, South Korea and Spain were the other three teams to qualify via the same route.
African nations face stern tests in FIFA U-20 World Cup knockouts
Morocco are the current favourites among the three remaining African nations to reach the quarter-final of the FIFA U-20 World Cup, but they will first have to navigate a tricky fixture against Korea Republic in Rancagua on Thursday. If the Atlas Lions win this match, they will face either the United States or Italy in the last eight.
With Nigeria qualifying as one of the best-ranked third-placed teams, they face arguably the toughest test in the round of 16 against Argentina. Be sure to check out our football predictions for all the insights ahead of this blockbuster matchup.
South Africa became the Africa Cup of Nations champions for the first time back in May by beating Morocco, and are now looking to become world champions. This is the first time the nation has qualified for the FIFA U-20 World Cup knockouts since 2009.
Amajita have been drawn against Colombia in the round of 16, and if they can overcome the South American nation, they will face either Ukraine or Spain in Talca on October 11.
