Amajita finishes CAF AYC with a flourish

South Africa U20…………….(1) 5

Zambia U20…………………..(1) 2

South Africa’s u.20 Men’s National Team, Amajita, finished their CAF under 20 African Youth Championships in Dakar, Senegal with a flourish, as they massacred Zambia 4-1 in a one-sided match on Sunday.

Tyroane Sandows scored a memorable hat-trick, while Dumisan iZuma weighed in with two goals as Amajita condemned Zambia to a comprehensive defeat in a COSAFA derby, which had little bearing on the tournament, after both teams were knocked out earlier.

Having been addressed by SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan on the need to protect national pride, it was Amajita who made the early running, showing great attacking intent.

And the comprehensive victory was a worthwhile consolation for the side that went to Senegal favourites to qualify for the World Cup in New Zealand in two months’ time.

After intense opening exchanges and under pressure from South Africa, Boyd Mkandawire received a yellow card for a crunch tackle on overlapping defender Kabelo Seriba, who had to seek some medical attention.

With absolutely nothing to play for, it was an open game with lots of attacking intent, with the match swinging from one end to the other.

Dumisani Zuma then put Amajita ahead with a delicate finish in the 22nd minute, after some exciting inter-changing passes; a great goal by all accounts.

Pule Maraisane then pushed a good pass just wide of the on-rushing Tshidiso Monamodi in the 28th minute as the flowing game continued to create chances galore.

Just at the time when South Africa was applying pressure, Kabelo Seriba inadvertently made a horrendous error, heading past his own keeper in the 30th minute, with little pressure from the Zambian attack. The hardworking Zuma could straight away have restored South Africa’s lead seconds later from a counter attack, but Zambian goalkeeper Mangani Banda did well to push his effort for a corner kick.

Maraisane, who has been a pale shadow of the man who won the man of the tournament in Russia in this journey, received a yellow card for a reckless tackle as his awful tournament continued.

Sandows then made it 2-1 with a subtle finish, following a cross by Aubrey Modiba in 60th minute.

Zuma completed his double a few minutes later with a sublime finish to make it 3-1 as South Africa threatened to run riot. The third goal was down to some solo running by Sandows, whose combination with Zuma might be one to watch in future.

Sandows scored his second goal, when South Africa easily curved the Zambia defence open to make it 4-1, and completed his hat-trick with a few minutes to go to full time with another good finish.

Zambia had the consolation second goal through Charles Zulu to make the final score 5-2 in referee’s optional time.