Amajimbos crashed out of the CAF U17 Africa Cup of Nations as they lost 3-1 against hosts Morocco in the last eight at the Stade El Bachir in Mohammédia.
Morocco were immediately on the front foot with a swift attack straight from kick-off, but the final ball failed to trouble Lwandiso Radebe in the South African goal.
Vela Khumalo’s team looked to take control of the possession, and dangerman Emile Witbooi had South Africa’s first chance in the seventh minute, but his effort hit the side-netting. Simphiwe Mlondo’s attempt a minute later lacked any power and Chouaib Bellaarouch gathered comfortably.
Morocco took the lead in the 13th minute as they pounced on a defensive error, and Ismail El Aoud was able to finish on the rebound after Radebe’s initial save from Ziyad Baha’s shot.
A defensive mix-up in the 19th minute at the other end almost opened things up for South Africa, but Selwyn Stevens’ goalbound shot was cleared off the line. Bellaarouch made a good stop in the 24th minute, as Neo Bohloko tried to fire in from the left of goal.
Morocco went close again in the 27th minute, but Zakari El Khalfioui’s header was just wide.
Amajimbos pushed hard, with possession in their favour, Witbooi firing over in the 46th minute, and at halftime, Morocco, who remained dangerous on the counter throughout the first 45, held onto their lead.
The South Africans came out after the break, pushing for that goal, but Kamohelo Mareletse was unable to steer his 46th-minute effort on target. Substitute Omphemetse Sekgoto’s 52nd-minute attempt lacked power.
And the South African equaliser came in the 55th minute, the first conceded by Morocco in this tournament, as Neo Bohloko headed in a Witbooi cross to make it 1-1.
But as fast as South Africa were back in it, the tie ended in a two-minute flurry. Radebe saved in the 59th minute from the dangerous Ilies Belmokhtar, but could do nothing to stop Baha a minute later as he fired in from close range. Two minutes later it was 3-1 as Morocco scored almost immediately after the kick-off, as Baha slipped in again through some poor defence.
Those goals took the wind out the young South Africans’ sails, and while there were late half attempts, the hosts were able to hold on and move on to the semi-finals.
Earlier in the day, Burkina Faso became the first semi-finalist when they hammered Zambia 6-1.
