South Africa 0
Egypt (0) 3
Ramadan Sobhi 59’, Abdelrahman Magdy 84’, 88’
19 November 2019 – South Africa’s National Under-23 side lost their first match of this year’s U-23 AFCON tournament following a 3-0 defeat in their semi-final clash against Egypt in a jam-packed Cairo Stadium on Tuesday night.
This result means South Africa will have to push for a win in their 3rd/4th place playoff match against Ghana in order for them to book the last ticket to next year’s Tokyo Summer Olympic Games.
The match between South Africa and Ghana will take place on 22 November at Cairo Stadium at 16h30.
Both Egypt and Ivory Coast are the only two national teams which qualified for the upcoming world sporting event after reaching this is year’s U-23 AFCON final.
In this encounter, Coach David Notoane’s charges fought really hard to find an opener in the first period, however, goals could not come despite their numerous attempts they pulled up in the final third.
South Africa’s first chance at goal came in the first minute when they were awarded a free just outside the 18-yard box.
Teboho Mokoena stepped up to take it, however, missed the near top corner by a whisker.
In the 28th minute, Luther Singh whipped in a cross into the 18-yard box only to find all of his teammates who were waiting for his delivery, failing to connect with the ball.
Egypt had a few chances of their own too, however, also lacked a finishing touch to bury them all off as well.
In the second half, Egypt were awarded a penalty in the 59th minute which Ramadan Sobhi coolly convert.
Abdelrahman Magdy made it 2-0 following a failed defensive clearance by South Africa inside the box in the 84th minute, before wrapping this encounter off with a powerful shot taken outside the box in the 88th minute.