South Africa’s u19 had to dig deep to display the beautiful football they did today against AC Milan.

They continued with the attractive attacking football they have been playing throughout their group stages matches but banged in the goals in this crucial match.

The South Africans started off like a house on fire attacking Milan from every direction but still the finishing was not there. Makgalwa was on fire on the left flank causing havoc for the Italians but missed two sitters in the first ten minutes. Coach Thabo Senong made a substitution early in the match as they needed goals to secure a spot in the semifinals in the 2015 Durban u19 International Tournament.

Makgalwa finally came to the party in 33rd minute scoring the opening goal for South Africa, Ngwenya scored a beauty in the 38th minute after a great team effort putting one foot into the semifinals.

The second half was rather dull with South Africa making a few substitutions Aghmat Ceres came on for Sydney Mtshweni to assist with attacking options while Tshidiso Monamodi came on for Karabo Ngwenya.

“There was a lot of hard work put into today’s performance, we had to study AC Milan and we had to ensure that our playing departments were very aware of every situation. You could see that they were together for a long time, but that was quiet a hard match. Our boys come from good academies with wonderful youth coaches so their ability has never been the problem, they are young yes but not scoring goals is something we can work on with time,” said coach Thabo Senong.

South Africa will now face PSG Eindhoven in the first semifinal on Wednesday 5 August 2015 at King Zwelinthini Stadium.

South African Starting XI: Tsebo Tsotetsi; Kabelo Seriba; Tebogo Rahlogo; Shane Saralina; Sydney Mtshweni; Siphesihle Sangweni; Teboho Mokoena; Thulane Nkosi; Karabo Ngwenya; Keletso Makgalwa; Lehlohonolo Mtshali (c )

South African Substitutions: Darren Johnson; Lehlohonolo Mohlabai; Solomon Letsoenyo; Tshidiso Monamodi; Tlou Masegela; Zama Rambuwane; Masilake Phohlongo; Aghmat Ceres

AC Milan Starting XI: Crosta Luca; Felicioli Gianfilippo; De Santis Ivan; Gamarra Sebastian Luiz( c); Hadziosmanvic Cristian; Vido Luca; Malberti Andrea; Cutrone Patrick; Zanellato Niccolò; Careccia Samuele; Altare Giorgio

AC Milan Substitutions: Livieri Alessandro; Vassallo Andrea; Mondonico Davide; De Piano Federico; El Hilali Mattia; Modic Mihael; Ludica Marco; Spinelli Michele; Zucchetti Raul