South Africa and Zambia settle for draw as both fall short of Group A top spot

South Africa and Zambia played out a hard-fought 1-1 draw in Cairo on Friday evening, a result that saw both teams advance to the knockout stage of the TotalEnergies CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations, but neither able to claim top spot in Group A.

A fast-paced opening at the 30 June Air Defence Stadium saw South Africa strike first through Kutlwano Letlhaku, who calmly finished in the 8th minute following a swift break led by Mfundo Vilakazi.

However, Zambia responded swiftly, equalising just four minutes later through Bonephanseo Phiri, who slotted home from the centre of the box after a pinpoint cross from David Hamansenya.

Both sides had chances to win the match, with South Africa's Vilakazi particularly dangerous, testing Zambia’s goalkeeper Leevison Banda multiple times. Zambia, for their part, grew stronger as the match wore on, with substitute Perkins Mumba Mwale coming close in stoppage time, only to be denied by a sharp save.

Despite the result, both nations ended the group phase on seven points. South Africa topped the standings on goal difference, edging Sierra Leone, who also finished on seven points after drawing with Zambia and defeating Tanzania and Egypt.

Zambia, unbeaten in all four group matches, finished fourth in Group A with six points – earning three draws and one win. Their solitary victory came against Tanzania, while they frustrated Egypt and Sierra Leone with goalless draws before this draw against South Africa.

Friday’s draw ensured Egypt, despite a 1-0 win over Tanzania in the parallel fixture, narrowly missed out on progression due to inferior goal difference.

South Africa’s progression marks another milestone for the side, who are eyeing their first U20 continental title. Zambia, who famously won the tournament in 2017, now look to rediscover their scoring touch in the knockout phase, having registered just two goals in four group games.

The match was fiercely contested, with multiple bookings handed out, including yellows to Gomolemo Kekana (South Africa) and Eliya Mandanji (Zambia), as both teams battled to the final whistle.

South Africa and Zambia will now await their quarter-final opponents, with both teams confident of making a deep run in the competition.