Amajita Advance to AFCON Semifinals, Secure World Cup Spot
Amajita has clinched a spot in the semifinals of the U20 AFCON and qualified for the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile this September, following a thrilling 1-0 win against DR Congo at the Suez Canal Stadium on Monday evening.
The crucial goal was scored by young SuperSport United striker Thabang Mahlangu in extra time, securing Amajita’s victory.
Both teams entered the match with great intensity, creating numerous opportunities within the first 20 minutes. However, strong defensive plays from both sides kept the score at bay.
Amajita nearly broke the deadlock in the 25th minute due to a significant mistake by DR Congo goalkeeper Ryan Mayangila, but Shakeel April was unable to capitalize.
Just three minutes later, Amajita was awarded a free-kick, but Mogamat Abrahams executed it poorly.
Amajita earned another free-kick in the 36th minute after a foul on April by Daniel Tshilanda, but captain Neo Rapoo’s shot only struck the wall, missing another scoring chance.
The first half concluded in a 0-0 stalemate, with both teams failing to convert their opportunities.
Before the second half kicked off, coach Raymond Mdaka made tactical changes, introducing captain Patrick Autata and Langelihle Phili for Abrahams and Thato Sibiya to strengthen the attack.
This adjustment brought immediate results, with Amajita creating several chances within the first 10 minutes of the second half, though they could not convert.
In the 60th minute, DR Congo nearly took the lead, but a stellar save by Fletcher Lowe denied Samuel Lukisa.
As Amajita’s stamina waned, a substitution occurred in the 76th minute, bringing Thabang Mahlangu on for Jody Ahshene to rejuvenate the squad.
Amajita crafted a promising counterattack in the 83rd minute when Autata gained possession and crossed to April, who set up Phili, but he squandered another opportunity to score.
With the match finishing without a goal, both teams entered extra time to find a winner. Amajita finally broke through with a goal from Mahlangu, assisted by April.
This exhilarating victory secured not only a place in the semifinals for Amajita but also their qualification for the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile this September.
They will join Nigeria, Morocco, and host nation Egypt, who also celebrated victories on Monday against Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Ghana, respectively.
This will mark Amajita’s fifth appearance in the FIFA U20 World Cup, having made their debut in 1997 but not advancing past the group stage since then.
Their past participations in 2017 and 2019 also ended in the group stage, while their best performance was in 2009, reaching the round of 16.
Amajita will face Nigeria in the semifinals of the U20 AFCON on Thursday at Suez Canal Stadium [17:00], while Morocco and Egypt will clash at the 30 June Stadium [20:00].