Amajita are through to the last after eight after finishing top of Group A, ending with a 1-1 draw against Zambia in their final group game at the 30 June Stadium at the ongoing CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt on Friday night.
Raymond Mdaka’s team went into this fixture, needing just a point to ensure their qualification for the quarter-finals, with Amajita, Zambia and Egypt all still having a chance to book the final two places in the last eight. The hosts were up against Tanzania and took an early lead against the East Africans.
A counter-attack in the eighth minute saw Jody Ah-Shene send a fine long pass to Mfundo Vilakazi, who in turn picked out Kutlwano Letlhaku with a chipped pass and Letlhaku fired in, leaving Levison Banda with no chance.
But Amajita’s lead was short-lived as Zambia responded almost immediately, as they attacked down the left with a great run by David Hamansenya, who sent in a cross, and Bonephanseo Phiri levelled matters in the 12th minute.
It was end-to-end stuff, and Langelihle Phili, who was causing problems on the left, created space for himself in the 16th minute, but could not direct his shot on target. A headed attempt by Joseph Sabobo went wide at the other end three minutes later.
Fletcher Smythe-Lowe was called into action in the 32nd minute, saving an attempt from Philimon Chilimina, while Phili went just wide a minute later at the other end, as he tried to curl a shot in. A cross-come-shot by Phili in the 39th minute almost snuck in at the near post, but Banda was able to get down and make a save. Two minutes later, Smythe-Lowe parried a ball into the path of Frank Chileshe, but he somehow shot wide, as did Vilakazi a minute later as Amajita threatened again on the counter.
At the break, the score remained 1-1, and with Egypt ahead in the other game, Zambia had it all to play for in the second half.
Patrick Autata, who came on at half-time for Letlhaku, shot over in the 48th minute as he tried a shot from range, while three minutes later, Sfiso Timba’s header from a corner was deflected behind, and Autata went over moments later.
Amajita were on the front foot, and Phili went close again in the 54th minute, but again his attempt went just wide.
But Zambia, with their future in the competition on the line, were starting to come back into the game, and Joseph Banda had a great chance on the hour mark, but fluffed his attempt.
Chances though, weren’t coming regularly, though Eliya Mandanji did try a shot in the 78th minute, but Smythe-Lowe saved comfortably, while Pascal Phiri was off target two minutes later.
Phiri missed in the 84th minute from a corner, and shot over again two minutes later as Zambia desperately sought a winner.
A late free kick in a dangerous area caused a bit of tension for South Africa, but Smyth-Lowe saved comfortably.
With Amajita, Sierra Leone and Egypt all finishing on seven points, and head-to-head cancelling itself out, South Africa finished top of Group A due to goal difference.
Mdaka’s team will now play DR Congo for a place in the semi-finals. The four semi-finalists will also qualify for the FIFA U20 World Cup.
