The South African U17 team fought back from 1-3 down to hammer Algeria 7-4 in their opening game of the FIFA U17 TDS 6 Nations tournament in Cote d’Ivoire, with Emile Witbooi, Selwyn Stevens and Neo Bohloko scoring braces.
Selwyn Stevens gave Amajimbos the early lead in the seventh minute, but Algeria hit back almost immediately and it was 1-1 in the 9th minute.
The Algerians went ahead from the penalty spot, before making it 3-1 with a screamer, and it looked like the North Africans could run away with the result, with South Africa’s defence looking fragile
But Neo Bohloko pulled one back with a stunning freekick in the 40th-minute, and South Africa’s attack began to trouble the Algerians, with 16-year-old Emile Witbooi causing all sorts of problems.Â
And Amajimbos completed a comeback as they were level before the break as the intense pressure paid off and Sive Pama made it 3-3.
After the break Amajimbos continued where they left off and Bohloko added his second ten minutes in, and then crowd-favourite Witbooi made it 5-3 to South Africa just before the hour mark.
Witbooi was on fire and added his second in style in the 70th minute, beating the offside trap, before rounding the keeper to make it 6-3.
He could’ve had his hattrick five minutes later, but over-elaborated after once again rounding the keeper. With a heavy schedule in Ivory Coast, Witbooi was subbed off not long after.
Just before full-time, the Algerians scored a consolation goal, but Amajimbos weren’t done and Stevens made it 7-4.
A good start for Vela Khumalo’s team who will be back in action on Thursday.
