Amajimbos make history with win over Cameroon

South Africa’s under-17 team made history on Sunday by qualifying for the World Cup for the first time as they beat Cameroon 3-1 in Niamey to secure a semi final place at the African Championship.

An early goal from Katlego Mohamme followed by two by captain Nelson Maluleke set up a famous win at the Stade Seyni Kountche.

The top four finishers at the tournament in Niger qualify for the U-17 World Cup in Chile from October 17 - November 8.

South Africa finished second in Group B behind Mali, who beat Côte d’Ivoire 1-0 on the artificial surface at Niamey’s Municipal Stadium at the same time.

Amajimbos finished on five points after draws in their first two group matches against the Ivorians and Mali, who finished top with seven points. Côte d’Ivoire ended on four points, out of contention.

South Africa now play Group A winners Nigeria in the semifinal on Wednesday but as the top four in the eight-team continental championship qualify for the world championship, they have already booked their ticket to Chile and achieved what no previous generation of young South African had before them.

The other semifinal in Niamey is between Mali and Guinea on Thursday. SA had to win the match and hope there was also a result in the other group game between the Côte d’Ivoire and Mali, which was played at the same time.

Centreback Mohamme scored after just two minutes for his second goal of the tournament to give Amajimbos the perfect start.

Maluleke, who is also from the SuperSport Academy, converted a penalty on the stroke of halftime after Sibongakonke Mbatha was brought down in the box and then after three sharp passes rammed in a magnificent effort to make it 3-1 just before the hour mark. But in between Amajimbos let their 2-0 halftime lead slip just three minutes into the second half when Christian Nguidjol pulled one goal back for Cameroon, who went home without a single win.