Pretoria, South Africa – (African Boulevard News) – It was a nail-biting encounter as the South African U17 team edged out Zambia in a thrilling 3-2 victory to resuscitate their chances of qualifying for the TotalEnergies U17 African Cup of Nations.
The match, which took place in Constantine on Wednesday, saw Holland-based forward Michael Dokunmu score the winning goal with just 14 minutes remaining on the clock. The South Africans showed resilience and grit to hold on to their lead and secure a crucial win.
The match started with a high intensity as both teams fought hard to gain the upper hand. The South Africans, however, took the lead after just 11 minutes of play through Mthokozisi Balakasi’s header. Zambia responded with two quick goals from Francis Simwanza and Timothy Zulu to take the lead.
South Africa continued to push forward and were rewarded with a penalty just before halftime, which Lwandiso Mdamba converted to level the scores at 2-2.
The second half was equally tense, with both teams creating chances, but the South Africans showed the greater resilience and determination. Their persistence paid off when Dokunmu scored the winning goal in the 76th minute, slotting the ball past the Zambian keeper.
The South African coach, Vela Khumalo, was pleased with his team’s performance and praised their fighting spirit. “This was a crucial win for us, and I am proud of the way the boys played. They showed character and resilience, and I believe this win will give us the confidence we need to push for a spot in the AFCON,” he said.
The victory moved South Africa up to second place in Group B, level on points with third-placed Lesotho, who they face in their final match of the qualifying round. A win against Lesotho will guarantee South Africa’s place in the TotalEnergies U17 AFCON finals.
In conclusion, the South African U17 team displayed an impressive performance, coming from behind twice to secure a vital win against Zambia. The team must now carry their momentum into their final qualifying match against Lesotho to ensure their spot in the TotalEnergies U17 AFCON finals.
