SA U-20s book World Cup and semifinal spot
• Victory over Sudan earns Senong’s attacking side a chance to play hosts Zambia in African championships
SA set up a semifinal meeting with hosts Zambia at the 2017 African Under-20 Championships and in doing so, also booked a ticket to the Fifa Under-20 World Cup in South Korea later in 2017 with a 3-1 victory over Sudan in Lusaka on Sunday.
Goals from Phakamani Mahlambi‚ Grant Margeman and Sibongakonke Mbatha sealed what was a comfortable victory in the end‚ though Sudan did provide a number of scares and held SA 1-1 at halftime.
Thabo Senong’s side were once again impressive on attack‚ but defensively have much work to do if they are to make an impression at the World Cup from May 20 to June 11.
That tournament will potentially create another club and country row between the South African Football Association (Safa) and Premier Soccer League teams as it falls during the extended domestic season that finishes on June 24.
SA will meet Zambia in their semifinal in Lusaka on Wednesday‚ while Senegal take on Guinea in Ndola the next day.
SA were ahead on 13 minutes when Mahlambi had the easiest of tap-ins after being teed up by Luther Singh‚ a combination that can be a fruitful one for Bafana Bafana for many years.
Singh showed great pace and selflessness as he used his speed to get behind the Sudan defence and charge into the penalty area before squaring for Mahlambi to score into an empty net.
But SA’s defence looked nervous and edgy‚ and Sudan found an equaliser on 23 minutes in the simplest way — a ball into the box was chested down by Khaled Osman who blasted the ball into the net unchallenged.
Sudan were finding acres of space in the South African box as the defenders stood ballwatching and the north Africans should have been in front when Walaa Musa missed a tap-in chance at the back post.
Excellent play from SA’s Mahlambi saw him twist and turn in the box. His cross for Liam Jordan was blocked by Sudan goalkeeper Ishag Mohamed‚ who then saved the follow-up from Mbatha.
With better placement‚ Jordan and Mbatha would have found the back of the net.
Mahlambi forced a fine stop from Mohamed five minutes into the second period‚ while Singh blasted well wide from close range in a move that Ajax Cape Town midfielder Margeman had a legitimate shout for a penalty.
But minutes later, Margeman blasted SA in front as Platinum Stars midfielder Kobamelo Kodisang showed good skill on the left wing.
His cross was eventually picked up by Margeman on the edge of the box and he let fly with a thunderous strike that nestled in the top corner.
And it was 3-1 on 66 minutes when another fine team move saw Mbatha side-foot into the bottom corner.
SA beat Cameroon by the same score line in their pool opener‚ but lost 4-2 to Senegal in their second Group B game.
They will appear at the Under-20 World Cup for the third time after showings in 1997 and 2009.