Amajita begin U20 World Cup campaign with defeat

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Amajita begin U20 World Cup campaign with defeat

South Africa started their U20 World Cup with defeat as they suffered a 2-1 loss to France at the Estadio El Teniente in Chile on Monday.

Amajita headed to the World Cup with high confidence as they are the reigning African champions following their win over Morocco in the May but found the going tough against the French.

South Africa were behind after just 25 minutes after Anthony Bermont sent France ahead in some fine fashion.

France were on the attack and sent in a ferocious shot but the ball hit Tylon Smith and Bermont was there to hammer home the rebound, sending a low effort past goalkeeper Fletcher Smythe-Lowe.

How did South Africa equalise?

amajita missed easy chances

Smythe-Lowe nearly created the equaliser for South Africa a few minutes later as he lofted a long ball that bypassed the France midfield and defence and found Jody Lee Ahshene but the striker could not control it well before the goalkeeper intervened.

South Africa’s moment arrived just before the half-hour mark when Mamelodi Sundowns forward Kutlwano Letlhaku weaved his way past a forest of legs and into the box but was brought down before he pulled the trigger.

The referee did not spot the incident but the South Africa bench requested a review of the incident and after the referee went to the monitor, he pointed to the spot. Ahshene stepped up and sent the French goalkeeper the wrong way for 1-1 after 33 minutes.

France score late to break Amajita hearts

Amajita at World Cup

Both teams would go into halftime tied 1-1 but after the break, it was France with the biggest chances.

Lucas Michel was a thorn in the flesh of the Amajita defence as he had a number of opportunities, one being denied by Smith with a great block, but the Queen Park Rangers defender could not keep him out later.

With 10 minutes to go, Michel made a brave run into the box and with the drop of the shoulder, he got away from Smith before firing past Smythe-Lowe.

It was a tough start for Raymond Mdaka’s team who will now have to regroup and improve against New Caledonia on Friday.

<!-- Author Start -->Joel Oliver<!-- Author End -->

Joel Oliver

Author

Joel Oliver is a seasoned multimedia sports journalist with a rich background in covering diverse football stories and events in South Africa and beyond.
His extensive coverage spans subjects touching on the PSL, with a focus on the Big Three (Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs & Mamelodi Sundowns), Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana.

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