Amajita sealed qualification for the Fifa u20 World Cup in South Korea in May this year after beating Sudan 3-1 in their final Group B match in Lusaka, Zambia.

Amajita have now set a date with hosts Zambia in the semi-final match which will take place on Wednesday.

Goals by Phakamani Mahlambi, Grant Margeman and Sibongakonke Mbatha handed Amajita the win in a tightly contested game.

While Sudan’s lone goal was scored by Khaled Osman, the Falcons of Jediane gave Amajita a run for their money and matched them man for man especially in the first half.

Mahlambi netted a beautiful goal after Singh had done all the work on the left flank, but Osman responded ten minutes later after South Africa’s defence had gone to sleep. The two teams went into halftime deadlocked at 1-1.

In the second half, coach Thabo Senong made shrewd substitutions bringing in Kobamelo Kodisang for Liam Jordan in the 52nd minute and Itumeleng Shopane for the tiring Phakamani Mahlambi in the 58th minute. The changes immediately changed the complexion of the game.

Margeman netted a beauty in the 59th minute after some world class attacking play from Kodisang, before Mbatha put some icing on the cake late in the game to send Amajita into wild celebrations.

Senong believes that the Sudanese put up a great fight, but the South African Football Association’s Vision 2022 was the bigger picture on the day which will see them grace the South Korea World Cup stage.

‘Well done to Sudan, but we had to win today. This win, qualifying for the Caf U20 AFCON semi-finals and the Fifa U20 World Cup is an important part in the development of South African football,’ said Senong.

‘We are not happy that we have conceded five goals in the group stages and this is not normal for us. Once again we will go back to the drawing board to prepare and correct our errors for the semis.’