Latest news with #ShakeelApril
IOL News
13-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Thabang Mahlangu's late strike sends Amajita to U20 AFCON semis, FIFA U20 World Cup
The South Africa U20 players celebrate their quarter-final victory over DR Congo at the CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Egypt. Image: Backpagepix Amajita booked their place in the semi-finals U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt with a thrilling 1-0 extra-time victory over the Democratic Republic of Congo on Monday night. The win also secured their participation in the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile. Substitute Thabang Mahlangu slotted home the winner in the 109th minute after the match ended goalless after 90 minutes of regulation play. The forward was in the right place at the right time to tap in from close range after a precise cross from Shakeel April, sending the young South Africans and their coaching staff into raptures. The match itself was a clash of styles, with the bigger boys from Congo looking to impose themselves physically against the smaller, but fleet-footed South Africans. Emotions all around !! And so it ended .... — (@SAFA_net) May 12, 2025 DR Congo's forwards Jules Ahoka and Samuel Ntanda posed a constant aerial threat, trying to outmuscle Amajita. But the South African players stood firm, relying on the speed and guile of Patrick Autata and Neo Rapoo to try and break the deadlock. Rapoo has a couple of great chances in space on the edge of the DR Congo penalty area, but he just couldn't find the target with his educated left foot. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ As the game progressed into the second half, the intensity escalated and the game got a bit heated and the referee became quite liberal in dishing out yellow cards to both teams. However, the introduction of Thabang Mahlangu would prove pivotal. With the match heading towards penalties, Mahlangu struck the decisive blow with a composed tap-in after a lovely ball from April. Yeeeeesss! We are going to the semi-finals of the U20 AFCON in Egypt, and we have qualified for the U20 FIFA World Cup in Chile in September 2025!!! — (@SAFA_net) May 12, 2025 DR Congo's had a few late attempts to equalise, but the South Africa's defence, anchored by their goalkeeper Tylon Smith, held firm. As the whistle blew, Amajita celebrated their hard-fought victory, joining Egypt, Nigeria, and Morocco in the semi-finals of the tournament. @JohnGoliath82
CAF
13-05-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Mahlangu extra-time strike sends South Africa to semi-finals and secures World Cup ticket
South Africa booked their place in the semi-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations Egypt 2025 with a dramatic 1-0 victory over DR Congo in extra time to become the fourth and final nation to secure its place in the semi-finals of the competition. Amajita's qualification is also sweetened by a FIFA U-20 World Cup ticket as a result of advancing to the last four of the competition. Despite a goalless 90 minutes, the match burst into life during extra time as Thabang Mahlangu struck the decisive goal in the 109th minute. The forward was in the right place at the right time to tap in from close range after a precise cross from Shakeel April, sending the young South Africans into raptures. The opening 90 minutes were tightly contested, with both teams creating chances but lacking the clinical edge in front of goal. DR Congo's Jules Ahoka and Samuel Ntanda were constant aerial threats, while South Africa's Patrick Autata and Neo Rapoo showed attacking intent but couldn't find the breakthrough. In the second half, the physical nature of the match became evident, with several players receiving bookings — including Kekana and Rapoo for South Africa, and Mukanadila and Tshilanda for DR Congo. Substitutions from both benches attempted to inject energy, with Mahlangu's introduction proving decisive. Ngoyala and Lufuiku had late efforts that went off target, while keeper Tylon Smith and his defense remained resolute. The match ended 1-0 in favour of Amajita who join hosts Egypt, Nigeria and Morocco in the semi-finals.
SowetanLIVE
01-05-2025
- Sport
- SowetanLIVE
Amajita bounce back at U-20 Afcon with win against Tanzania
Amajita bounced back from their opening defeat at the Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations with a clinical 1-0 win against Tanzania at Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia, Egypt, on Wednesday. Coach Raymond Mdaka's U-20s started with a 1-0 loss against hosts Egypt in Cairo on Sunday. Cape Town City attacker Shakeel April scored the 27th minute winner that separated the teams.
CAF
30-04-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Shakeel April strike hands South Africa vital win over Tanzania at TotalEnergies CAF U-20 AFCON
Published: Wednesday, 30 April 2025 South Africa reignited their hopes of progressing at the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, Egypt 2025 with a hard-fought 1-0 win over tournament debutants Tanzania at the Suez Canal Stadium on Wednesday. After losing their opening Group A match 1-0 to hosts Egypt, the Amajita responded with determination, securing all three points thanks to a 27th-minute winner from Shakeel April, who was a constant threat throughout the contest. The victory lifts South Africa back into contention in the group, while Tanzania, making their first appearance in the tournament since 2021, were left to rue missed chances in a spirited second-half display. South Africa began the match with urgency, creating early opportunities through Langelihle Phili and Faiz Abrahams, before finally breaking the deadlock midway through the first half. April latched onto a well-weighted through ball from Abrahams, calmly slotting past goalkeeper Ibrahim Nindi to give the Amajita a deserved lead. Tanzania, who had a bye in the opening round, struggled to find rhythm early on but grew into the match after the break. Forward Bakari Msimu was at the heart of their fightback, forcing two saves and coming close with a header in the dying minutes, while Ashrafu Kibeku and Said Naushad also tested the South African defence with long-range efforts. Despite a flurry of late chances, including a string of corners and shots narrowly off target, Tanzania could not find an equaliser. South Africa held firm during seven minutes of added time to preserve their lead and secure a crucial three points in Group A. The result marks South Africa's first victory in a second group-stage game at the U-20 AFCON since 2019 and keeps their knockout hopes alive. For Tanzania, it was a frustrating return to the tournament, having shown promise in their CECAFA U-20 Championship triumph but lacking the finishing touch at this level. South Africa now prepare for a decisive final group match against Zambia, while Tanzania face the daunting task of playing the hosts Egypt in their next fixture.
TimesLIVE
30-04-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Amajita bounce back at U-20 Afcon with win against Tanzania
Amajita bounced back from their opening defeat at the Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations with a clinical 1-0 win against Tanzania at Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia, Egypt on Wednesday. Coach Raymond Mdaka's U-20s started with a 1-0 loss against hosts Egypt in Cairo on Sunday. Cape Town City attacker Shakeel April scored the 27th-minute winner that separated the teams. The result left South Africa in second place in the five-team Group A, with Egypt set to meet Sierra Leone in a later game on Wednesday night.
