South Africa made a dramatic start to their U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign with a thrilling 4-3 victory over Egypt in Morocco on Monday night.
The Group B opener delivered an electrifying display of attacking football, with both teams showcasing their offensive firepower in a match filled with momentum swings and spectacular goals.
First-half goal frenzy
The game erupted into action almost immediately, as Simphiwe Khethokuhle Miondo fired South Africa ahead in the opening minute.
However, Egypt responded swiftly through Anas Roshdi El Sayed Mohamed Emam, who equalized before doubling his tally in the 13th minute to turn the match in the Pharaohs’ favor.
Egypt extended their lead further in the 18th minute when Hamza Mohamed Abdel Karim found the back of the net, leaving South Africa trailing 3-1.
But the young Bafana Bafana refused to back down.
Neo Daniel Bohloko stepped up to convert two penalties, first in the 27th minute and again just before halftime in the 41st minute, bringing the score level at 3-3 as the teams headed into the break.
Second-half decider
With the match finely balanced, both teams tightened their defenses in the second half.
The decisive moment came in the 71st minute, when Emile Amoreece Witbooi struck what proved to be the winning goal for South Africa, securing a hard-fought 4-3 victory.
Group B standings
With the win, South Africa moves to the top of Group B with three points, level with Burkina Faso, who also won their opening match.
Egypt and Cameroon, meanwhile, remain without points after their first fixtures.
South Africa’s victory sets an early tone in what promises to be a fiercely contested group, while Egypt will now face added pressure to recover in their next outing.
BUUUUUT ANAS ROSHDY ! ⚽️🔥
2 minutes après l’ouverture du score, l’Égypte égalise grâce à une belle tête de Roshdy ! 👊🏼
🇿🇦 Afrique du Sud 1-1 𝗘́𝗚𝗬𝗣𝗧𝗘 🇪🇬#TotalEnergiesAFCONU17 pic.twitter.com/Oc0YtVVU7G
— Onze Masr 🇪🇬 (@onzemasr) March 31, 2025
BUUUUTWGTXTXTXTDTSYSYSS 😱😱😱
LE RETOURNÉ MAGNIFIQUE DE ROSHDI POUR DONNER L’ATVANTAGE À L’ÉGYPTE ! 😍🔥
Le doublé en 13 minutes de jeu pour le joueur d’ENPPI ! ⚽️⚽️
🇿🇦 Afrique du Sud 1-2 𝗘́𝗚𝗬𝗣𝗧𝗘 🇪🇬#TotalEnergiesAFCONU17pic.twitter.com/RBJQRWGjd1
— Onze Masr 🇪🇬 (@onzemasr) March 31, 2025
BUUUUUUUUT ABDELKARIM ! ⚽️🔥
L’attaquant d’Al Ahly permet à l’Égypte de faire le break ! 💥
3 buts en 20 minutes, ça tourne à la démonstration face aux sud-africains.
🇿🇦 Afrique du Sud 1-3 𝗘́𝗚𝗬𝗣𝗧𝗘 🇪🇬#TotalEnergiesAFCONU17pic.twitter.com/mMxNPolI1n
— Onze Masr 🇪🇬 (@onzemasr) March 31, 2025
LE MATCH DE LA HONTE ! 🤢🤮
• 2 simulations = 2 penaltys
• Un joueur de HANDBALL en dernier défenseur = CARTON JAUNEUn énorme bravo à la @caf_online_FR et au boss Patrice Motsepe ! 🇿🇦👏🏼
🇿🇦 Afrique du Sud 4-3 Égypte 🇪🇬 #TotalEnergiesAFCONU17 pic.twitter.com/8mxRzK2ajh
— Onze Masr 🇪🇬 (@onzemasr) March 31, 2025
