South Africa sealed a place in the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations following a 1-0 win over Nigeria on Thursday, making it that far for the first time since 1997.
Amajita had to withstand pressure from the Flying Eagles before Tylon Smith’s 65th minute header won the game for them to keep alive hopes of winning a first-ever continental title.
The match exposed some of what has been good with Raymond Mdaka’s team and what has to improve. Afrik-Foot highlights some of the takeaways from the match.
Amajita must be brave
Having paid the price for their bravery against Egypt in the opening match, Mdaka has employed a pragmatic approach against the bigger teams at the tournament and the same happened against Nigeria.
The result was Amajita being put under pressure for most of the match as their attacking qualities were not fully displayed with the team defending for much of the contest.
With a place in the final secured, Mdaka will be tempted to employ the same approach but it will be risky when his team is loaded with quality players who can win the game if given the freedom to produce their brilliant best.
On Thursday, Thabang Mahlangu, Kutlwano Lethlaku and Kgomotso Modiba were nowhere to be seen with Neo Rapoo making things happen, but coming from deep, something that has to change.
Rapoo another weapon for Mdaka
A goal and two assists from SuperSport United defender Neo Rapoo highlight how important he has become to the team.
Rapoo was the man who looked to make things happen for South Africa in attack and he set up Smith’s goal with one of his good crosses.
Mdaka played him on the left wing to maximise his attacking talents and he was rewarded handsomely while the player also tracked back to help with defensive duties.
That is what will be required from him in the final and his display against Nigeria suggest he is up to the task both defensively and in attack.
Where would SA be without Smythe-Lowe?
While Smith got the plaudits for scoring the goal, Amajita would not have made it to the final were it not for the heroics of goalkeeper Fletcher Smythe-Lowe.
Smythe-Lowe came into the match already as the goalkeeper with the most saves at the tournament, having made 19, and on Thursday, he added onto that tally.
He pulled off four good saves but what stood out is the times in which he executed them. Two of those four were in the final embers of the match when his good reflexes denied both Israel Ayuma and Bidemi Amole from close range to preserve South Africa’s lead.
Mdaka has to trust Vilakazi
Meanwhile, as South Africa struggled for some creativity, they had a player capable of producing it in Mfundo Vilakazi sitting on the bench.
Mdaka preferred Kgomotso Modiba in the N.10 role against Nigeria but he struggled to produce while Kaizer Chiefs man Vilakazi was not involved from the start for a second straight match.
However, with his experience and cleverness, Mdaka needs to trust Vilakazi more to get his team going in attack.
Smith has a bright future
Centre-back Tylon Smith got praise for scoring the winner but he did more than that.
His ability to smell an opportunity saw him get ahead of the goalkeeper to head in the goal while at the other end, he was key to keeping the potent Nigeria attack at bay.
Blessed with pace and height, Smith won most of his aerial and ground duels and made a great tackle when Nigeria nearly leveled as he prevented Kparobo Arierhi from pulling the trigger after the striker had made a good run into the box.
South Africa have a massive talent on their hands in the Stellenbosch defender and luckily, he plays for a club known to produce, nurture and promote youngsters.
