The U23 Men’s National Team beat Egypt 2-1 in an international friendly match on Friday evening at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Clermont, Durban.
The South Africans conceded in the 19th minute of the match when Mohamed Hany Gamal Eldemerdash found the back line of South Africa pushing too high away from their goalkeeper. The South Africans went into halftime having tried their level best to get onto the score sheet however Egypt cancelled out every ball played into their 18 yard area.
Coach Owen Da Gama started the second half with a double substitution when Travis Ghaham came on for Bantu Mzwakali and Thabo Makhele came on for Tshepo Rhikotso to try and bring some stability and more aggression to the match. South Africa got a great scoring opportunity in the 55th minute however Mahmouf Hamdy Ahmed Aly Abdelbaky made the save of the match.
After many attempts at goal the South Africans equalized from a set piece when Keagan Dolly shot from range to make it 1-1 in the 58th minute. The South African technical team made another double substitution in the 61st minute when Dumisani Zuma came on for Simpiwe Khambule and speedy winger Abednigo Mosiatlhaga replaced Thapelo Morena in the same role.
Local boy Menzi Masuku stepped up in the 67th minute and put the home team in the lead with a great header making it 2-1 to South Africa.
South African starting XI: Goss; Modisha; Moerane; Mngonyama (c); Rhikotso; Ntshangase; Mzwakali; Dolly; Masuku; Morena; Khambule
Substitutions: Hoffman; Gumede; Makhele; Macheke; Stuurman; Konqode; Nooredien; Fikizolo; Zuma; Graham; Mosiatlhaga
Egyptian staring XI: Abdelbaky; Gomaa; Abdelkader; Elsawy (c ); Elhanafy; Adbeinabi; Eldemerdash; Attia; Elkelfat; Seleh; Mohamed
Substitutions: Abdelrazek; Shahin; Warda; Mosalam; Ahmed; Salama; Eltantawi; Morsy; Soliman; Saleh; Eldin