Big blow as Amajita lose again

SOUTH Africa’s hopes of a place at the Fifa under-20 World Cup later this year have faded as they let a late lead slip in a 2-1 loss to Mali in their second Group B game in Senegal last night.

A penalty from captain Motjeka Madisha had Amajita in front with 20 minutes to go, but Mali staged a desperate rally, and after they were able to equalise following a mistake from goalkeeper Dumisani Msibi, they went on to win the game and banish Amajita’s hopes of going to New Zealand.

Hamidou Traore was the man to embarrass Msibi, and then went on to net the winner to break the hearts of Thabo Senong’s side, who in truth had done little in the game to warrant a win.

Having said that, much like their senior counterparts, Amajita will be desperately disappointed not to have closed out the match having had their noses in front late on.

They battled to contain the far more physically imposing Malian side and created little in the way of chances. But having held on until 72 minutes, they won a deserved penalty when striker Dumisani Zuma was bundled over in the box.

Mamelodi Sundowns youngster Madisha coolly stroked the ball into the back of the net and Amajita led against the run of play. But the error from Msibi five minutes later gifted Mali the equaliser.

He had withstood a Malian storm up until then, but let a Traore cross-cumshot float over his head in what was a poor moment for a player regarded as a future Bafana Bafana number one.

And it went from bad to worse with 10 minutes to go when Traore got his second as he was left unmarked at the back post and turned home a cross from the right.

South Africa play their final Group B game against Zambia on Sunday.