The South African U17 Men’s National team remains on track for a spot in the Round of 32 at the FIFA U17 World Cup 2025 underway in Doha, Qatar.
Amajimbos were held to a 1-1 draw by the hosts at a packed Aspire Zone Complex on Thursday. Among others, the match attended by South African Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie, as well as Arsenal legendary former coach, Arsene Wenger, who now works for FIFA.
The South Africans were without the injured Luke Hendricks while Sive Pama was serving his suspension following a red card he was shown in the clash against Bolivia. The Qatari team stunned coach Vela Khumalo’s boys with an early goal in the third minute through Yazan Hani.
But the South Africans regrouped and quickly found an equalizer in the 16th minute through the livewire Emile Witbooi who was also named Player of the Match. He beat the offside trap to head in a cross and made it 1-1l with his second goal of the tournament following his strike in the opening match of the competition against Bolivia (Monday, 3 November 2025).
Khumalo made some changes in the second half, bringing on Lebohang Dhlamini, Will Henson, Joshua Taylor and Alwande Booysen for Shaun Els, Teboho Mlangeni, Selwyn Stevens and Neo Bohloko, but the scoreline remained the same – with South Africa sharing the spoils with Qatar.
“It was not the results we were anticipating but we knew we were playing against the hosts, and we were well aware of how they wanted to play. We made our analysis, and this is exactly how we thought they would approach the game. In fact, if you look at the goal that we conceded, it was from our own mistake. Other than that, they sat at the back and were hoping to play from transition. Their plan worked, they stuck to it, congratulations to them,” said Khumalo.
“I also think we were not really aggressive or even showed a little bit of individual brilliance. But it was not our day, we were not really on the ball, we got a draw, which we can take and go home.”
The point was enough to keep South Africa well on track to progress to the next round. They are in second place on four points, two behind Group A log leaders Italy, who earlier in the day defeated Bolivia 4-0 to take command of the top spot.
Qatar is third on the table with one point while Bolivia is yet to shake the points section after two matches. The group stage action will conclude on Sunday (9 November) when Amajimbos take on the Italians while Qatar will square up with Bolivia.
Both matches will kickoff simultaneously at 16h45 South African time (17h45 local time in Qatar).
With the tournament featuring 48 teams for the first time ever, the top two teams from each of the 12 groups will advance to the knockout stage. They will be joined by the eight best third-placed teams to complete the field of 32.
South Africa XI vs Qatar:
Lwandiso Radebe (GK), Tumi Mothapo, Liam Marthinus, Abulele Dlekedla, Teboho Mlangeni, Kamohelo Mareletse (c), Omphemetse Sekgoto, Selwyn Stevens, Emile Witbooi, Shaun Els, Neo Bohloko
Subs: Lunje Noqobo, Alwande Booysen, Morake, Joshua Taylor, Will Henson, Lebohang Dhlamini, Sello Mokhobo (GK)
Head Coach: Vela Khumalo
SOURCED FROM SAFA WEBSITE.
