South Africa Under-23s rally to beat Algeria as substitutes make the difference

South Africa Under-23s came from behind to defeat Algeria 3-1 in an international friendly at the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein on Thursday.

The teams will meet again on Sunday as Raymond Mdaka continues preparations for the 2027 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

Algeria led through Yanis Senhadji in the first half, but second-half substitutes Quwan Plaatjies, Nhlanhla Gasa and Faiz Abrahams scored to complete the turnaround for the hosts.

Mdaka named a starting XI containing several players with PSL experience, including captain Neo Rapoo, Camren Dansin, Mfundo Vilakazi, Kutlwano Latlhaku, Mpho Padime and Siviwe Magidigidi.

South Africa created the first significant opportunity after 23 minutes. Magidigidi played Vilakazi through with a defence-splitting pass, but Algeria goalkeeper Mohamed-Aness Mokhtar made the save.

The hosts had enjoyed most of the promising moments before the interval, with Latlhaku, Padime, Vilakazi and Magidigidi all unable to convert their chances.

Instead, Algeria struck in the 45th minute. South Africa were punished for failing to track the danger, allowing Senhadji to apply the finishing touch beyond the reach of Fletcher Smythe-Lowe.

Mdaka responded at half-time by introducing Plaatjies and Gasa for Latlhaku and Magidigidi. The changes had an immediate effect as South Africa turned the match around.

Plaatjies equalised after 49 minutes on his debut, combining with Gasa before finishing the move. The forward recently became the first PSL player to score a hat-trick on his Stellenbosch FC debut.

Gasa then put South Africa ahead five minutes later. He was left unmarked inside the penalty area and made Algeria pay after their defence struggled to contain the hosts’ pace in attack.

Further substitutions followed after the hour mark, with Mdaka giving Gabriel Amato, Asekho Tiwani, Bohlale Ngwato, Faiz Abrahams and Simphiwe Selepe an opportunity to feature.

They replaced Dansin, Rapoo, Vilakazi, Padime and Dhakier Lee. Algeria coach Saifi Rafik also made changes as his side attempted to recover from the deficit.

The reshuffled sides did not disrupt South Africa’s momentum, and the hosts added a third goal in the 73rd minute.

Another attacking move ended with Abrahams finding the net from outside the box, his low shot beating Mokhtar to complete the scoring.

The second friendly between the two teams is scheduled for Sunday.