South Africa opened their 2025 U17 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) account with a 4-3 win over Egypt in Group B at the Laarbi Zaouili Stadium in Casablanca on Monday evening.
South Africa took an early lead in the opening seconds through Simphiwe Mlondo from an Emile Witbooi assist.
The lead didn’t stand long as the Egyptians equalised five minutes later through Anas Roshdy. Roshdy completed a brace eight minutes from that with a bicycle kick to give his side a lead for the first time in the game.
The young Pharaohs exploited South Africa’s poor defense with Hamza Abdelkerem smashing an open net to triple the lead in the 18th minute. Amajimbos fought back and forced their opponents to make mistakes in the box and give away two penalties that Neo Bohloko converted in the 30th and 40th minutes, respectively to make it 3-3. Witbooi wasted a golden chance to put Amajimbos in the lead just before half-time.
The opening 10 minutes of the second half didn’t produce as much fire works as the opening stanza did. Towards the hour mark Egypt’s Belal Attia headed off target and had a goal disallowed.
Witbooi also had at shot on target in the 64th minute but it was an easy save by the Egyptian goalkeeper. But South Africa regained the lead in the 70th when Bohloko set-up Witbooi who was composed in his finish.
Amajimbos, Angola and Zambia are the three sides from the COSAFA region at the tournament also used as a 2025 U17 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Initially 12 sides were to take part in the tournament, however CAF extended the number of participants to 16 countries which opened space for Amajimbos.
Their next match is against Cameroon who lost 2-1 to Burkina Faso in the group opener in an earlier kick-off on the Thursday and will conclude their group stage action against the Burkinabe on Sunday.
