South Africa have advanced to the quarterfinals of the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and booked a ticket to the U-17 World Cup later this year, despite a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Burkina Faso in their final Group B match, played at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca on Sunday evening.

The result sees Amajimbos finish second in the group standings behind Burkina Faso, with both sides advancing into the final eight and therefore guaranteeing a spot at the World Cup in Qatar later this year.

Egypt finished third in the group after a 2-1 win over Cameroon in a concurrent match, and they will be involved in the playoff round for a berth at the World Cup.

South Africa missed a first-half penalty through Neo Bohloko, while the West African side scored the opening goal via Issouf Bara 20 minutes into the second stanza.

Burkina Faso then killed off South Africa’s comeback hopes late in the game with a second goal, scored by Asharaf Tapsoba.

Amajimbos will likely face Morocco or Zambia in the quarterfinals, with that clash set for the El Bachir Stadium in Mohammedia on the evening of Thursday 10 April.

Burkina Faso (0) 2 (Bara 65’, Tapsoba 89’)

South Africa 0

BF: P. Ouedraogo, A. Ouedraogo, Dabo, Kone, Coulibaly, Diaby (Nana 79’), Bagayogo, Fofana, Bara (Konate 86’), Diakite (Yaro 86’), Tapsoba

SA: Radebe, Sekgoto, Dlekedla, Marithius, Mzimela, Maraletse, Mokokosi, Mlangeni, Stevens (Mlondo 65’), Witbooi, Bohloko (Monanyane 79’)