Amajita have qualified for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup after defeating the Democratic Republic of Congo 1-0 in the quarter-finals at CAF U20 AFCON on Monday night.
The South Africans qualified for the quarter-final following a 1-1 draw against Zambia on Friday, which also secured top spot in Group A, while the Congolese finished third in Group C after just one win from three matches.
Amajita head coach Raymond Mdaka made a few changes from the draw three days ago, as Shakeel April, Mogamat Abrahams and Thato Sibiya returned to the starting line-up.
The Congolese enjoyed most of the possession in the early stages of the first half and managed to carve out a couple chances, with Faveurdi Bongeli being denied by Fletcher Smythe-Lowe while Jules Ahoka squandered a headed chance in the opening 25 minutes.
South Africa, meanwhile, were looking to attack on the counter, with Jody Ah Shene and April causing a bit of problems with the pace but they were unable to trouble the Congolese goalkeeper in the opening 45 minutes.
Mdaka responded with a double change at the start of the second half for Amajita, as Abrahams and Sibiya made way for Langelihle Phili and Patrick Autata.
It was more of the same in the second period, with Congo dominating possession without turning their dominance into goals while the South Africans were unable to make the most of the openings on the counter-attack.
Congo did have a late chance to go ahead in the final ten minutes when Messy Manitu did well to pick out Jules Ahoka, who saw his header saved by Smythe-Lowe, as the game went on to extra-time.
South Africa took the lead on the stroke of halftime in extra-time when April's cross picked out Thabang Mahlangu, who controlled well before firing home from close range for his third goal of the competition.
The solitary goal was enough to seal Amajita's spot in the semi-finals while they will also be competing at the U20 World Cup in Chile later this year.
