23 July 2017 – The South African U17 Men’s National Team (Amajimbos) lost 3-2 to Zambia in their second match of Group B in the 2017 COSAFA U-17 Championships, currently underway in Mauritius.

A first half goal from Andrew Phiri and a brace by Lameck Banda ensured that Zambia stay top of the group. South Africa put up a great fight and managed to score two goals in the last ten minutes of the match, but ran out of time in search of the equalizer.

A brace from substitute Junior Nare brought the stadium to life as he netted in the crucial goals in the 81st and 87th minute respectively. Amajimbos managed to regroup and take pride in the lesson learnt today and coach Molefi Ntseki believes that the player truly showed hunger today.

“I want to commend my players for coming back after the halftime result. I believe that they lost confidence after that first goal but we manage to come back.

These players are just 15 years old and they really did their best under the circumstances. It was a thrilling last 10 minutes and it is unfortunate that we did not get an equalizer but we are very proud of the boys.

We as the technical team managed to bring back their confidence at the break and it show in the second half;”said Head Coach Molefi Ntseki.

South Africa now have 4 points in the tournament and will face Madagascar in their last group stage match on Tuesday, 25 July 2017. This match will be played at 15h00 local time (SA time 13h00), at Saint Francois Xavier Stadium.

This is how they lined up:

South African starting XI: Constandin Christodoulou (GK); Sizwe Ntanzi; Koketso Mathibe; Kieron Jacks (C); Joshua Momdu; Cade Erickson; Storm Jonas ; Mohammed Shahabodien (Da Silva 82’); Azola Tshobeni (Makambi 69’); James McFarlene; Olifile Ramatlo (Nare 73’)

Substitutions: Thabang Maema; Omphile Moeletsi; Juniour Nare; Juniour Khiba; Alex Da Silva; Lungile Makhambi; Bryn Deeley; Boikanyo Segotlong

Zambia starting XI: Emmanuel Mphasi (GK); Andrew Phiri; Reuben Kailo; Lameck Banda; Kingsley Hakwiya; Jonathan Kapalembe; Clunton Lubula; Prince Mumba (C); Martin Njobvu; Mumba Muma; Niza Simutenda

Substitutions: Moses Mwanza; Christopher Katongo; John Mulalangabo; Michael Kafusha; Bruce Kayuni (GK); Jimmy Hamanzukua; Christopher Phiri

 

 

 

Match Officials:

 

Referee: Patrice Milazar (Mauritius)

 

1st Assistant Referee: James Emile (Seychelles)

 

2nd Assistant Referee: Cauvelet Louis Fabien (Mauritius)