South Africa's U20 team flying the flag high after securing quarterfinal spot in AFCON

South Africa’s U20 national team are through to the quarterfinals of the U20 Africa Cup of Nations after holding Zambia to a 1-1 draw in their final Group A match at the Suez Canal Stadium on Friday night.

The result saw Amajita finish top of the group and book a place in the knockout stages, where they will face DR Congo on Monday at the same venue.

Coach Raymond Mdaka’s side showed character and tactical maturity in a match that required more control than flair. 

Amajita took an early lead when Kutlwano Letlhaku found the net in the eighth minute, giving South Africa the perfect start.

Zambia, needing a win to progress, responded quickly with an equaliser just three minutes later, but despite being under pressure for long spells, South Africa held their shape and saw the game out to get the result they needed.

“Our game against Zambia in the final group stage match, we knew it would be a bit tricky because of the margin of the points,” said Mdaka.

“They wanted a win at all costs, so they had to put in almost everything because the draw wasn’t enough for them, but fortunately, we knew how they played.”

Zambia had no option but to throw numbers forward, and at times it seemed Amajita might be stretched. But Mdaka’s men stayed compact and limited their opponents to half chances.

“We were caught up on something that we have analysed, we have seen, but we were able to quickly get cover and see how best we did with the captain, who was the number 11 and a brilliant individual player,” Mdaka continued.

“In the second half, as much as we could not play well offensively, we were able to manage the situation because we knew the 1-1 draw was in favour of our side.”

The South Africans have now recorded just one defeat in five matches at the tournament, showing steady improvement and growing confidence with each outing.

Now, with a place in the last eight secured, the challenge will be tougher against DR Congo. 

But based on their group-stage discipline and organisation, Mdaka’s side won’t be easy to break down.

Momentum, structure and belief are all starting to come together at just the right time for Amajita.