The South African Under-20 team booked a ticket to South Korea for the World Cup after they qualified for the semi-finals of the Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations with a 3-1 win over Sudan on Sunday.
Amajita will represent Africa in the World Cup, which will run from May 20-June 11, along with Zambia, Guinea and Senegal.
Now that qualification for the World Cup is guaranteed, there is the small matter of settling the score with their southern African rivals Zambia in the semi-final on Wednesday at the National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.
Guinea will take on Senegal in Ndola the following day in the other semi-final.
Amajita will remain in Zambia’s capital, where they beat Sudan on Sunday, with the aim of avenging the Cosafa Cup final loss to Zambia in Moruleng last year.
But if Amajita are to overcome the hosts, who scored 10 goals in the group stage, they have to sort out their leaky defence that conceded in all three games. That defence continued to look shaky despite being reshuffled.
Coach Thabo Senong moved captain Tercious Malepe from central midfield to his natural position in central defence in place of Notha Ngcobo.
Malepe partnered Sandile Mthethwa, with Katlego Mohamme moved to left back. It didn’t look to change much, with the central defence still opened up with ease by the opposition, who attacked Amajita mainly on the left flank that Mohamme manned.
The Sudanese equaliser in the 25th minute came from that flank. Their captain Mustafa Elfadini chipped a beautiful pass to Khaled Osman, who controlled with his chest, found space despite three defenders in the box before he unleashed a thunderbolt that levelled matters.
That strike cancelled out Phakamani Mahlambi’s 13th-minute goal from a tap-in after Luther Singh did all the heavy lifting, beating Mohaid Waheed with his skills and pace before putting the ball on the platter for Mahlambi.
Congratulations to Sibongakonke Mbatha who was voted match of the match @madamenamhla @BurgerKing pic.twitter.com/CtD3Xr3f4V
— SAFA.net (@SAFA_net) March 5, 2017
Sudan’s equaliser brought back the nightmares that saw the side relinquish a 2-0 lead to lose to Senegal 4-3 in their last match.
Sudan almost took the lead after once again penetrating Amajita on the left, but an unmarked Walaa Musa couldn’t score with an open net in front of him.
Amajita’s defensive frailties meant that their attack had to carry the team. They looked potent when going forward, with a strong attacking unit led by Liam Jordan, with Singh and Mahlambi supporting the Portugal-based forward.
That attack linked up well, but found a resolute Ishag Adam in goal. Adam showed his good reflexes to produce a double save that denied Sibongakonke Mbatha and Jordan.
The goalkeeper was dejected after Amajita regained their lead through Grant Margeman on the hour mark. His goal came after Adam had saved Singh’s initial shot.
Kobamelo Kodisang came on in place of Jordan to add more energy to Amajita’s attack.
He unselfishly laid the ball for Mbatha to seal the victory in the 66th minute after Singh cleverly released Kodisang.
The Platinum Stars midfielder is part of the 10 players in Amajita squad who went to Chile for the Under-17 World Cup, and will feature in their second global competition this year.