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The South African Under-20 team can now look forward to the World Cup in Poland after their mission at the CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations ended with them winning a bronze medal yesterday.
Beating Nigeria 5-3 on penalties after a goalless draw in regulation time of their third-place play-off in Niger meant coach Thabo Senong and his charges went one up after South Africa finished fourth at the last edition in Zambia two years ago.
But making it into the semifinals of the continental championships in Niger would remain the highlight for Senong as a top-four finish was all that was needed to earn a ticket to the global spectacle.
Now, South Africa will be anxious to know who they will be grouped with in the World Cup. Fifa will conduct the draw next Sunday.
Top youth powerhouses Argentina, France and Mexico are among those that have secured their spots in the 24-nation global tournament, which will run from May 23 to June 15.
Amajita will represent Africa in Poland alongside Nigeria, as well as Senegal and Mali, who will face off in the final of the Niger championships to decide this year’s Afcon champion.
Meanwhile, South Africa’s bronze-winning match against Nigeria yesterday had little spark in regulation time.
Amajita converted all of their penalties in the shoot-out, and Siphesihle Mkhize scored the decisive spot kick.
South Africa’s goalkeeper and team captain Khulekani Kubheka saved the first penalty during the tense shoot-out.
It the end, Senong will be satisfied that his team will not return home empty-handed this time after they were pipped to a third place by Guinea at the last youth Afcon finals in Zambia.
Although the team will certainly celebrate their qualification into the World Cup more than the bronze medal, Senong still has some things to fine-tune in his team, particularly when it comes to the attack.
Amajita looked organised in defence during the group stage, where they conceded once in their 1-1 draw against hosts Niger and kept a clean sheet in their goalless stalemate against Nigeria, who won Group A.
The sticking point, however, is that South Africa only scored two goals in regulation time throughout the tournament, including in their 1-0 win over Burundi, which secured their ticket to Poland.
The most obvious challenge for Senong has been the team’s ability to create chances in open play but failed dismally in front of goal.
Amajita’s goals in Niger came from a free kick while the other one was scored from the penalty spot in their group stage games against Niger and Burundi, respectively
