South Africa run away late to topple U-20 AFCON Group A leaders Sierra Leone

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South Africa took a big step forward towards finishing as the top side in Group A following Tuesday's 4-1 victory over Sierra Leone at the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations. Two late goals from Thabang Mahlangu confirmed victory in a match that was closer than the score indicated.

It was a strong start for Amajita against the revelation of the tournament, Sierra Leone. South Africa took the lead in the 13th minute when Jody Ah Shene collected a backheel pass from Shakeel April and his well struck effort from distance took a kind deflection that was too much for Sierra Leone goalkeeper Dauda Bangura to deal with.

Sierra Leone's powerful attack struggled to get going and South Africa held on comfortably to their lead by halftime. The action increased in the second half and it was Amajita who struck again on the hour mark when a swift transition attack resulted in Ah Shene picking out Neo Rapoo with an early cross. With Bangura exposed too far out of his goal, Rapoo received and easily rounded the keeper to finish into an empty net.

Sierra Leone finally woke up and began to create opportunities regularly. After a couple of close misses, the Shooting Stars finally pulled one back through star and captain Momoh Kamara who produced an excellent left-footed finish in the 69th minute.

But after seriously threatening to equalize, Sierra Leone lost their organization and Amajita pulled away courtesy of substute Mahlangu who tapped in from close range before finishing again after a clever flick header from Patrick Autata put him in on goal.

South Africa finish up their Group A fixture list on Friday against COSAFA rivals Zambia where a victory will see them win the group. Sierra Leone have already qualified for the quarterfinals and Tuesday's match was their final Group A fixture.

Group A Table

	GP	Points
Sierra Leone	4	7
South Africa	3	6
Zambia	3	5
Egypt	3	4
Tanzania	3	0

• The group winners and runners-up qualify for the quarterfinals.

• The two best third place finishers from the three groups qualify for the quarterfinals.