WeeklySA_AdminHOME-BOUND: Group E defeat seals their fate, leaving them six points behind Colombia…
By Masoja Cele
South Africa U-20 national soccer team bowed out of the 2025 World Cup tournament after suffering a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Colombia on Wednesday night at the Fiscal Stadium in de Talca, Chile.
Amajita last reached the quarter-final of the global showpiece in 2009 in Egypt. Raymond Mdaka’s boys began the 2025 World Cup edition with a 2-1 loss to France. But they turned things around and thumped New Caledonia 5-0. In their final Group E match Amajita beat the USA 2-1 to reach the last 16.
The South Africa Under 20’s approached the match with a positive mentality but the dice was heavily loaded against them. They held their own against the more polished Colombian team. However, lost focus and shape and allowed Joel Canchimbo to breach the defence and score the opening goal in the 8th minute.
Amajita were still posing a threat against Cafeteros but found their watertight defence uncompromising. Mdaka’s troops almost clinched the equalizer when midfielder Shaeen April’s screaming shot sailed over the crossbar.
After the resumption Amajita pushed for an equaliser constantly pressing the flanks with speed and precision but failed to convert their chances. South Africa was awarded a penalty in the 47th minute after a VAR review.
Amajita’s lively Mfundo Vilakazi missed the spot kick. However, the referee ordered a retake and Vilakazi banged in his second attempt to level the matters 1-1.
After the equaliser the match was an end-to-end affair with both teams piling relentless pressure. Colombia became more aggressive with bulldozing striker Neysser Villarreal missing a clear opportunity to put his side ahead in the 54th minute.
Finally, after squandering a few gilt-edged chances , Villarreal scored the second goal from inside the Amajita’s box. The striker received a knee-high cross from the left, took a sudden turn in front of South Africa’s defenders before unleashing a cheeky shot to the roof of the net to set the score 2-1.
Mdaka’s side then started leaving opening gaps in their play while trying to get an equaliser. In the 90th minute Cafeteros main instigator Villarreal pounced on an excellent pass from his teammate Jordan Barrera to score the third and final goal of the proceedings to give his side a 3-1 victory.
The African Champions finished the Group E on six points behind Colombia.
