South Africa finished top of group A and punched their ticket to the U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) quarterfinals after a 1-1 draw with regional rivals Zambia at the 30 June Air Defence Stadium in Cairo on Friday.

Amajita finished the group stage equal on points with Sierra Leone but edged the west African nation on goal difference.

Zambia could not do enough to secure a victory and are headed home as a result, despite going undefeated in all four of their group games.

South Africa found the opener in the 8th minute, after Lee Ashene’s ball forward to Mfundo Vilakazi was smartly played across to Kutlwano Letlhaku, who kept the ball up with his knee before volleying it onto the back of the net. This was the first goal Zambia have conceded in this U20 AFCON campaign.

However, Amajita’s lead did not last long as Zambia struck back four minutes later. David Hamansenya beat two defenders down the wing and flashed the ball into the box, which was smartly stepped over by David Simukonda and finished by Bonephanseo Phiri for the first goal from open play in tournament for Zambia.

In the 33rd min, Amajita’s Langelihle Phili cut back onto his favourite right foot, attempting to curl the ball into the top right corner, but could not find the target.

Phili continued creating trouble for Zambia, as his left foot shot from the side of the box forced goalkeeper Leevison Banda into a save at his near post in the 40th minute.

Young Chipolopolo nearly took the lead in the 42nd minute, as captain Joseph Sabobo had his effort from the edge of box saved, which fell to Frank Chiles who struck the ball across the face of goal.

Phili was again involved as he nearly set up Vilakazi in the 43rd minute after a lovely one-two, but Vilakazi couldn’t keep his effort on target.

Amajita nearly pulled ahead in the 52nd minute, as substitute Patrick Autata’s header effort from a corner traveled over the bar from close range.

South Africa kept pressuring Zambia’s defence as Phili danced past two defenders and cut onto his right foot but his shot snuck past the post from the edge of the
box in the 54th minute.

Young Chipolopolo tried to mount a late comeback but failed to find the winner in the 91st minute as Perkins Mwale’s free kick was easily scooped up by Fletcher Smythe-Lowe.

With 1-1 the final result, South Africa finished top of group A and will face the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the quarterfinals on Monday.

South Africa U20 (1) 1 (K. Lethlaku 8’)

Zambia U20 (1) 1 (B. Phiri 12’)

RSA: F. Lowe, S. Timba, T. Smith, S, Nkwali, N. Rapoo, L. Maku, G. Kekana, K. Letlhaku (P. Autata 46’), M. Vilakazi (S. April 70’), L. Phili (T. Sibaya 70’), J. Ahshene (T. Mahlangu 70’)

ZAM: L. Banda, D, Hamansenya, C. Kalumba Buyoya, H. Nsiku, W. Banda, D. Simukonda (E. Mandanji 76’), A. Phiri (P. Mwale 83’), P. Chilimina (P. Phiri 56’), J. Sabobo (E. Mutale 83’), B. Phiri, F. Chileshe