U-17 AFCON: South Africa comes out on top over Egypt in 7-goal thriller

Photo Credit: @CAF_Online/X

In an open and entertaining match that featured seven goals, South Africa emerged victorious by a 4-3 score against Egypt to to complete a thrilling Tuesday from the 2025 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Group B clash did not take long to treat viewers to goals. In fact, it took less than a minute for South Africa to strike when Amajimbos #10 Emile Witbooi was played behind the Egyptian defense. After rounding Egypt goalkeeper Omar Abdelaziz, the Cape Town City youngster then crossed for Simphiwe Mlondo to finish low through a crowd of defenders.

But Egypt stormed back with three goals in fourteen minutes. Anas Roshdi leveled with a header from Ibrahim El Nagaawy's cross before giving Egypt the lead with a sensational bicycle kick finish.

Al Ahly player Hamza Abdelkarim then took advantage of tentative goalkeeping from Amajimbos keeper Keabetswe Morake to win an aerial duel and then run on to finish into an empty net. However, South Africa responded to close out a wild first half with two penalty kick conversions from Neo Bohloko.

The second half calmed down as both teams showed a bit more caution to avoid the mistakes seen in the first half. But the Egyptian team was the first to blink in the 71st minute when South Africa stormed towards the penalty area on a counter attack. Bohloko laid a pass to Witbooi on the left wing who cut inside to finish past Abdelaziz.

There was still plenty of time for Egypt to level the match but the South African defense was able to keep the young Pharaohs at bay. Any chance of an Egyptian comeback evaporated in stoppage time when a miscommunication at the back ended with Abdelaziz fouling to deny a clear goal scoring opportunity and being issued a red card.