Ofentse Kgosana rounded off the scoring as 10-man Amajita booked their place in the semi-finals of the 2024 COSAFA U20 tournament following a 2-0 win over Comoros at the ABB1 stadium in Motola on Tuesday afternoon.
Second half goals from Siyabonga Mabena and Kgosana were enough to seal victory and a perfect group stage record.
Amajita came into the encounter needing just a draw to make the last four after impressive wins in the opening two games.
South Africa struggled to create clear scoring chances in the first half after being denied an 11th minute penalty when Ntlonelo Bomelo was brought down in the box by Anizar Hamada.
There was a chance to break the deadlock four minutes later when Emile Witbooi found Mabena in space, but the Mamelodi Sundowns youngster was beaten to the ball by the opposing goalkeeper.
Amajita won a corner kick in the 24th minute, but Patrick Autata’s attempted header at goal sailed off target.
Kgosana then tried to show some individual brilliance to get the opener, but his shot landed in the keeper’s hands in injury time of the first half leaving the tie locked at 0-0 at the break.
In the second half, coach Raymond Mdaka rang two changes – introducing Kutlwano Letlhaku for Witbooi and Xhosa Manyana for Sfiso Timba.
Mabena gave SA the lead from the tightest of angles in the first minute of the second stanza to break the deadlock.
Shandre Campbell came off the bench and tried to double his side’s lead but was off target in the 75th minute.
South Africa was then reduced to 10 men after Lazola Maku was sent off for a second bookable offence for diving in the 18-yard area on the 78th-minute mark.
In the 82nd minute, Kgosana sealed the deal by making it 2-0 as Mdaka’s side booked their last four berth.
Amajita maintained their unbeaten record having scored 13 goals in the group stage and are yet to concede.
They now face Group B winners Angola for a place in the final on Thursday at 12:00, with the winner of this tie automatically qualifying for the 2025 CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations.
