It was not the start Amajita wanted to begin their CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations campaign with on Sunday, as they lost 1-0 to hosts Egypt at the Cairo International Stadium, despite dominating for much of the game.
For the second time in 48 hours, this pitch hosted a battle between Southern and Northern Africa, following Mamelodi Sundowns’ success against Al Ahly on Friday evening in the CAF Champions League semi-finals.
Raymond Mdaka’s team looked to take early control of the possession, and did as much, though the first shot in anger did fall to the hosts, but that sixth-minute attempt was comfortably dealt with by Fletcher Smythe-Lowe.
Mfundo Vilakazi was so close to opening the score in the ninth minute with an audacious 45-metre attempt, but the shot hit the post! The South Africans were piling on the early pressure with their speedy attacks, and the Egyptian defenders were struggling to cope with the slick passing game of their opponents. Kutlwano Letlhaku was just off target in the 20th minute, trying to curl his shot in from the left. Jody Ah Shene forced a good save from Abdelmonem Aly three minutes later,
Despite the overall domination, it became a stop-start half, with the Egyptians having to make two injury-forced first-half substitutions, and the score remained goalless at the break.The South Africans started the second half looking to get their rhythm back, but Lazola Maku’s speculative attempt three minutes in failed to trouble the defence.
Just before the hour mark, Amajita were dealt a blow when captain Asekho Tiwani had to be stretchered off, and replaced.
The woodwork came to Egypt’s rescue again in the 60th minute as Ah Shene fired in after a good run down the left, Aly got a hand to it and pushed it onto the woodwork.
And then against the run of play, Egypt soared on the counter-attack, Mohamed Youssef beat the offside call (according to VAR), raced clear, and fired past Lowe-Smythe to take a lead against the run of play.
South Africa hit the woodwork for a third time in the 67th minute as Letlhaku raced through the middle, but Aly saved again, and the ball struck the upright.
Amajita continued pressing, but their play in the final third let them down, with several attempts off target. Gopolang Taunyana did get a header on target in the 87th minute, but it was straight at Aly.
South Africa will be back in action on the 30th when they face Tanzania.
