South Africa kicked off their TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations campaign in style, edging Egypt 4-3 in a pulsating Group B opener on Monday night at Stade Larbi Zaouli, Casablanca.
The match delivered non-stop drama, featuring penalties, a red card, and a flurry of goals.
The action began with a bang, as Simphiwe Mlondo put South Africa ahead in the very first minute. Egypt wasted no time responding, leveling through Anas Roshdi’s header three minutes later.
The Pharaohs gained momentum, pulling ahead 3-1 with goals from Roshdi again and Hamza Abdel Karim in a dazzling 20-minute spell.
However, the resilient Amajimbos clawed their way back before halftime. Neo Bohloko coolly converted two penalties, the first in the 27th minute and the second just before the break, to leave the game evenly poised at 3-3.
The decisive moment came in the 71st minute, when Emile Witbooi netted the winner, finishing clinically after a perfectly timed assist from Bohloko. Egypt’s hopes of a comeback were dashed in stoppage time as Omar Abdel Aziz received a red card following a VAR review.
The victory sees South Africa join Burkina Faso, who defeated Cameroon 2-1 earlier, at the top of Group B with three points apiece.
The Amajimbos now shift their focus to Thursday’s encounter with Cameroon, while Egypt will look to bounce back against Burkina Faso.
