Tokyo here we come! Happy ending for the SA U-23s in Egypt

The SA Under-23s grabbed the final Olympic ticket on offer at the CAF U-23 Afcon in Egypt following a dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Ghana in their third-place play-off on Friday.

The 6-5 victory on penalties after a 2-2 stalemate handed the young Bafana the bronze medal. They joined Egypt and Ivory Coast as Africa’s three representatives in the Olympic football tournament in Tokyo, Japan next year.

Ghana came back twice in the game to force the match into penalties but South Africa’s goalkeeper Mondli Mpoto was the hero after stopping two spot-kicks before a packed Cairo International Stadium.

Captain Tercious Malepe (missed) and Katleho Mohamme (saved) were unsuccessful during the shoot-out but all of Grant Margeman, Thendo Mukumela, Luther Singh, Athenkosi Dladla, Kobamelo Kodisang and Lyle Foster converted.

South Africa seemed destined for glory from the onset as they led twice before defensive blunders brought Ghana back in it.

Coach David Notoane’s side broke the deadlock courtesy of a 16th-minute own goal by Habib Mohammed, who deflected Singh’s cross-cum-shot from a tight angle.

However, Ghana were back on level terms just after the break when Evans Mensah’s fired a scorcher from outside the box past Mpoto.

Poor defending saw Samuel Obeng scramble home for another Ghana come back with less than 10 minutes to go. The young Black Stars’ joy was short-lived when Kamohelo Mahlatsi, who two minutes after coming on as a substitute, netted after the hour-mark. This after the Ghanian defence failed to clear their lines.

The strike, with the help of Foster who was involved in the build-up to the goal, confirmed South Africa’s place at the Olympics alongside Egypt and the Ivorians, who earned an automatic pass to Asia by virtue of being the finalists.

Notoane and his heroic team are expected home round lunchtime on Saturday.

Meanwhile, six countries, including hosts Japan, have already earned their places in Tokyo next year.

More continental championships are still to be concluded early next year to complete the 16-nation line up at the multi-coded Games in Tokyo.

Fifa, in collaboration with affiliate football federations, determined the slots allocated to each continent.

This is the race to Tokyo so far:

Asia – With the exception of Japan, two more Asian nations will qualify during their continental championships in January.

Europe – Spain, Germany, Romania and France earned their berths during the Uefa European Under-21 Championship in Italy mid-year.

North, Central America and Caribbean – Eight teams will compete for two places on offer at the final qualifying tournament in Guadalajara, Mexico in March-April next year.

Oceania – New Zealand grabbed their ticket to Tokyo during their continental tournament held between September and last month in Fiji.

South America – Colombia will host the region’s qualifying tournament between January and February next year. The top two teams will qualify

• The men’s Olympic football tournament will run from July 23 to August 8 in the Japanese capital.