U-17 AFCON: Algeria sink South Africa to top Group D

South Africa suffered a 2-0 defeat against Algeria in the second match of the U-17 AFCON pencilled in Morocco.

Yacine Abed scored a brace, which moved Algeria close to qualification for the knockout stages as they top Group D with four points.

FULL-TIME! 🇿🇦🇩🇿

A brace from Yacine Abed secures all three points for Algeria. 👏#TotalEnergiesAFCONU17 pic.twitter.com/V9B2wMx84q

— CAF Online (@CAF_Online) May 17, 2026

Amajimbos clashed with Algeria, searching for their second win in a row after collecting maximum points in the opening match of the AFCON tournament, having defeated Senegal 2-1 on Thursday.

South Africa dominated the ball possession in the opening minutes of the game; however, they were wasteful in the final third.

On the other hand, Algeria was posing a huge threat to Vela Khumalo’s side on-set pieces as they have players who possessed impressive aerial prowess.

SOUTH AFRICA SUFFER SETBACK IN THE U-17 AFCON

The North Africans broke the deadlock from a dead-ball situation in the 41st minute after Yacine Abed headed home a pinpoint cross from a corner kick.

The solitary goal gave Algeria the all-important lead heading into the tunnel at the interval, leaving South Africa with all to do in the second stanza.

With South Africa pushing for an equaliser in the second half, they won a free-kick on the edge of the penalty box, but they couldn’t convert after Mpho Molepo’s curling shot was parried away by the goalkeeper.

Mamelodi Sundowns startlet, Molepo, continued to be a live wire for Amajimbos in attack as they searched for a goal to level matters; however, Algeria added another goal in the dying minutes to claim a 2-0 win.