Amajita coach Raymond Mdaka says his side gave it their all to qualify for the Under-20 World Cup in Chile later this year.
Substitute striker Thabang Mahlangu steered the young South Africans to a 1-0 victory in extra time over the Democratic Republic of Congo in the Under-20 African Cup of Nations quarter-finals in Egypt last night.
The match ended in a goalless draw after regulation time.
Close call in the 97th minute by Autata pic.twitter.com/VpzxpUsBLo
— SAFA.net (@SAFA_net) May 12, 2025
The SuperSport United striker, however, scored the winner four minutes into added time of the first half of extra time to seal the deal for South Africa.
Amajita will now meet Nigeria in the first semifinal on Thursday, while hosts Egypt meet Morocco later that evening.
The young South Africans will travel to Chile for the U20 World Cup in September and October.
Mdaka says, “We knew that it wasn’t going to be an easy game because every country wanted to qualify for the World Cup. We told ourselves we are in the tournament and one of the main objectives was to qualify. So, we used almost everything we had, technically, tactically, physically and character. And I think it was a good show for the boys.”
Emotions all around !! And so it ended …. pic.twitter.com/6jyyfa42em
— SAFA.net (@SAFA_net) May 12, 2025
