South Africa will look to take a step closer towards qualifying for the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals when they lock horns with Sierra Leone at the Suez Canal Stadium on Tuesday, May 6.

Kick-off is at 8pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)

Amajita bounced back from their 1-0 loss to Egypt on the opening day of the tournament as they beat Tanzania by the same scoreline in Ismailia on April 30, with Shakeel April scoring the all-important goal on 28 minutes.

Raymond Mdaka’s side are third in Group A, one point behind the host nation, who have already played three games, and a further three adrift of the unbeaten Shooting Stars.

Mdaka was dealt a massive blow ahead of the clash with the Ngorongoro Boys after it emerged that captain Asekho Tiwani had returned home after suffering a knee injury against the Young Pharaohs.

Tiwani was replaced by Gopolang Taunyana in the 59th minute and it was decided that the left-back should fly back to South Africa as the team doctor was uncertain whether he would recover in time to play any further part at AFCON.

“With the captain, it might not be so bad but it’s something that cannot heal now – that’s the challenge, so we had to release him,” Mdaka said.

“It’s something that might take more than three weeks, we’re not sure, but from the doctor’s side, it’s something that he can’t immediately play now.

“It’s the biggest blow because we had him and Mbekezeli, and I would know that I’m rock solid at the back. But we can’t cry, it’s a situation that happens in football, and we’ll see how we go forward without them.”

Sierra Leone have shown they mean business in Egypt after thrashing the hosts 4-1 in their second match which followed on from the 0-0 draw against Zambia on April 27.

Mustapha Dumbuya’s side then beat Tanzania 1-0 on May 3 to take control of Group A, putting them in a prime position to secure a place in the knockout stages.