Magidigidi double inspires South Africa to stay alive at U-20 World Cup

Africa U-20 champions South Africa reignited their FIFA U-20 World Cup campaign with a commanding 5-0 victory over New Caledonia in Rancagua.

After losing their opener to France, the Amajita delivered a clinical response, with Siviwe Magidigidi starring by netting twice and winning a penalty.

Siviwe Nkwali broke the deadlock on 25 minutes with a powerful header from a corner, before Magidigidi was brought down in the box nine minutes later.

Shakeel April calmly converted the spot-kick to double South Africa’s advantage.

Magidigidi then added his name to the scoresheet just before half-time with a crisp finish from the edge of the box to give Raymond Mdaka’s side a commanding 3-0 lead at the interval.

The forward struck again seven minutes after the restart, this time tucking home from close range to seal his brace and put the contest beyond doubt.

Substitute Lazola Maku rounded off the rout with a well-taken strike from distance ten minutes from time.

Coach Raymond Mdaka welcomed the win but admitted his team could have been even more ruthless in front of goal: “It was quite a challenging game because we needed to win at all costs and we needed goals as well," Mdaka said.

"We believe we should have scored more than we did as we were quite wasteful with the chances we created.

"We played well from the back but we were sluggish in the front so we need to improve our tactical and positional discipline and I think we should have scored nine or ten goals.”

The result puts South Africa firmly back in contention in Group E, where they will now face United States on Sunday in a crucial decider for a place in the knockout stages.