SA juniors on the brink of qualification
This after beating Ethiopia 1-0 (3-0 on aggregate) yesterday at the Dobsonville Stadium.
The South African outfit won 2-0 in Addis Ababa in the first leg two weeks ago.
South Africa made their intentions clear as early as the 15th minute, when Nhlakanipho Ntuli found himself one-on-one with Ethiopia goalkeeper Shifer Wasegida Klilu, but failed to find the back of the net.
Amajita head coach Ephraim "Shakes" Mashaba made just one change from the team that won 2-0 in Ethiopia - bringing on defender Khumbulani Mkhize for Denwin Farmer who had been struggling with a back problem at training.
South Africa were awarded a penalty in the 38th minute after good work from Fagrie Lakay on the right hand side and an Ethiopian defender was adjudged to have handled in the box. Referee Osiase Koto from Lesotho did not hesitate and pointed to the spot. Ntuli coolly slotted the ball home to give the home side 1-0 lead, and 3-0 aggregate advantage.
In the second half, the visitors launched a fightback as they enjoyed greater ball possession but could not get on the scoresheet.
Amajita will now face Cameroon in the third and final round of the qualifiers.
The first match will be played on the weekend of August 15, while the return leg take place two weeks later.
The winner will qualify for the 19th edition of the African Youth Championships which will be held in Senegal in March next year.
The semi-finalists at the AYC will represent Africa at the 2015 Fifa under 20 World Cup tournament in New Zealand.
(File photo:Gallo Images)