11 December 2017 – The Burger King-sponsored South African Men’s U20 National Team had to dig deep to edge Egypt 2-1 in a top-of-of-the-table group B clash at the COSAFA U-20 Youth Championships in Kitwe, Zambia.

A late change in logistics saw this tantalizing fixture moved back to Nkana Stadium, where both teams had collected their first two group victories after the match was originally scheduled to be played at Arthur Davies Stadium.

This seemed to suit the North Africans more in the first half after they managed to open the scoring in the 18th minute from a Mohamed Karem strike. Amajita watched in wonder after they had squandered a few potential chances of their own.

The Young Pharaohs went to the half-time break with the lead after playing mind games on Amajita which saw Captain Thendo Mukumela receive a yellow card in the 39th minute after a squabble during a South Africa corner take.

Sifundo Sibiya came on to replace Happy Mashiane and quickly made an impact in the match as he became a menace to the Egyptians, frustrating them into making silly errors. Nkosingiphile Ngcobo managed the much needed equalizer for South Africa in the 58th minute, after they managed to pull some great passes together.

The ever hard working Mkatshana gave Amajita the lead in the 71st minute to see them win their third consecutive match, and qualify for the semi-finals of the youth regional tournament.

South Africa will play the best loser of the tournament on 14 December 2017 in the first semi-final match, while the winner of group A, guests Uganda will face the winner of group C in the second semi-final. The two opponents will be confirmed tomorrow when group C play their last matches.

These matches will be place at Nkana Stadium at 13h30 and 16h00 respectively.

South African starting XI: Khulekani Kubheka (GK); Sibusiso Mabiliso; Kamohelo Sambo; Thendo Mukumela (c); Keanu Cupido; Thabani Zuke; Nkosingiphile Ngcobo; George Matlou; Happy Mashiane (Sibiya 45’) ; Luvuyo Mkatshana; Lyle Foster

South Africa substitutions: Sanele Tshabalala; Renaldo Leaner; Kiyaam Bull; Malebogo Modise; Bradley Cross; Patrick Maswanganyi; Sifundo Sibiya; Katlego Ntshabeleng; Siphumelele Mbulu;

Egyptian starting XI: Mohamed Daader (GK); Hamada Difalla; Ahmed Ghoneim; Ahmed Elsayed; Mohamed Ahmed; Abdelmoaty Mahmoud; Reda Raafat Mohamed; Mohamed Abouelfetouh; Mohamed Mahfouz; Mohamed Riad; Abdelrahman Elrayash (C)

Egypt substitutions: Mostafa Ahmed Shoubir (GK); Mahmoud Abdelghani; Mohamed Ramadan; Mohamed Youssef (GK); Mohamed Abdelhai; Khaled Moustafa; Roshdi Roshdi; Hussein Abdelkader; Mostafa Elzanary

Match officials
Referee: Joao Amado GOMA (Angola)
1st assistant referee: James Fedrick Emile (Seychelles)
2nd assistant referee: OliverGift Mweene (Zambia)
Match Commissioner: Johannes Muinji (Namibia)