Vilakazi stars as Amajita produce best ever FIFA U20 result

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South Africa’s under-20 side registered their biggest victory at a FIFA U20 World Cup, beating New Caledonia 5-0 in Rancagua on Friday morning.

It was only Amajita’s second ever win in the competition, the first dating back to 2009 against Honduras. This result keeps them in contention for a place in the round of 16 after opening with a narrow 2-1 defeat to France.

Head coach Raymond Mdaka made two changes to the line-up, handing starts to Mfundo Vilakazi and Siviwe Magidigidi. The adjustments paid off. Siviwe Nkwali opened the scoring in the 25th minute, heading in a cross from Langelihle Phili. Nine minutes later Shakeel April converted a penalty after Magidigidi was brought down inside the box. Magidigidi then added a third just before the interval, giving South Africa a commanding 3-0 half-time lead.

The dominance continued after the break. In the 52nd minute Vilakazi turned provider again, setting up Magidigidi for his second of the game and South Africa’s fourth. Substitute Lazola Maku struck from distance with ten minutes left to complete the scoring.

Despite the emphatic margin, Mdaka expressed mixed feelings in his post-match assessment. “We wanted to win with goals. I think we should have scored more than we did,” he said, adding that technical discipline in attack let chances go to waste.

South Africa recorded 32 shots to New Caledonia’s two, underlining their control of the game. Vilakazi’s two assists and all-round display earned him the Player of the Match award.

With three points, Amajita sit third in Group E, level with France but ahead on goal difference. They next face the USA, who have already secured qualification after beating France 3-0.

Photo: Martín Fonseca/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images

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Dylan Johnson