The Amajita national Under-20 men’s football team are going to the FIFA U20 World Cup in South Korea in May.
They booked their spot after beating Sudan 3-1 in their final Group match at the Heroes National Stadium in Lusaka, Zambia on Sunday.
Goals by Phakamani Mahlambi, Grant Margeman and Sibongakonke Mbatha gave Amajita a good win in this tight game.
While Sudan’s lone goal was scored by Khaled Osman, the Falcons of Jediane gave Amajita a run for their money and matched them man for man, especially in the first half.
By winning this CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations match, Amajita have set up a semi-final date with hosts Zambia on Wednesday, in what has become a regional derby between the two sides.
‘This was a major achievement and the boys have made the country proud. After our U17 side qualified for the World Cup last year, it is this type of progress that has seen our Vision 2022 take immediate shape,’ said SAFA president Dr Danny Jordaan, who flew to Zambia to give the team more moral support.
‘The semis against Zambia will be a typical final before the final and the boys must look forward to this game,’ said Jordaan.
Mahlambi netted a beautiful goal after Luther Singh had done all the work on the left flank, but Osman responded 10 minutes later after South Africa’s defence had gone to sleep. The two teams went to halftime deadlocked at 1-1.
In the second half, coach Thabo Senong made shrewd substitutions, bringing in Kobamelo Kodisang for Liam Jordan in the 52th minute and Itumeleng Shopane for the tiring Phakamani Mahlambi in the 58th minute. The changes immediately changed the complexion of the game.
Margeman netted a beauty of a goal in the 59th minute after some world-class attacking from Kodisang, before Mbatha put some icing on the cake late in the game to send Amajita into wild celebrations.
Coach Thabo Senong believes that the Sudanese put up a great fight, but the South African Football Association’s Vision 2022 was the bigger picture on the day which will see them grace the South Korea World Cup stage.
‘Well done to Sudan, but we had to win today. This win, qualifying for the CAF U20 AFCON semi-finals and the FIFA U20 World Cup is an important part in the development of South African football.
‘We are not happy that we have conceded five goals in the group stages and this is not normal for us. Once again we will go back to the drawing board to prepare and correct our errors for the semis,’ said Senong.
South Africa will now play tournament hosts in the first semi-final of the 2017 CAF U20 African Cup of Nations on Wednesday, 8 March 2017 at National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka, Zambia.
How Amajita lined up:
Starting XI: Mondli Mpoto (GK); Katlego Mohamme; Thendo Mukumela; Tercious Malepe (C); Sandile Mthethwa; Grant Margeman; Teboho Mokoena; Sibongakonke Mbatha; Luther Singh; Phakamani Mahlambi; Liam Jordan