The dream run of the South African U20 Men’s National Team came to an end on Wednesday night. This is after their 3-1 defeat to Colombia in the Round of 16 in Chile. Despite a brave fight, Amajita could not withstand the relentless South Americans, who secured their spot in the quarter-finals of the 2025 FIFA U20 Men’s World Cup.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Early Pressure and Costly Mistakes
Colombia started brightly and immediately put South Africa under pressure. Goalkeeper Fletcher Smythe-Lowe was called into action within minutes, and though he made key saves early on, a defensive lapse in the seventh minute proved costly. Oscar Perea floated a teasing ball into the box, which Joel Morales converted with a powerful finish to give Colombia a 1-0 lead.
Amajita struggled to find their rhythm but began to settle midway through the first half. Shakeel April came close to levelling matters with a curling effort, while Mfundo Vilakazi forced two fine saves from Colombian goalkeeper Jordan Javier García. Despite their spirited display, the young South Africans trailed 1-0 at halftime.
Vilakazi Brings Hope for South Africa
Coach Raymond Mdaka’s side started the second half on the front foot. Just two minutes after the restart, Siviwe Magidigidi was brought down inside the box, and the referee awarded a penalty after a VAR check. Vilakazi’s initial effort was saved, but a retake was ordered as García had moved off his line. The young forward made no mistake the second time, calmly slotting home to restore parity at 1-1.
The equaliser reignited Amajita’s belief, but Colombia quickly regained control. Their pace and fluid passing proved too much for the African champions, who struggled to keep up with the tempo.
Villarreal Breaks Amajita’s Hearts
Colombia’s persistence paid off in the 62nd minute when Neiser Villarreal fired an unstoppable shot into the top corner to make it 2-1. As Amajita pushed for an equaliser, gaps opened up at the back. In added time, Villarreal struck again on the counter, sealing his brace and confirming Colombia’s 3-1 victory.
South Africa had few chances late on and could not recover from the setback, bowing out of the tournament after an admirable campaign.
Mdaka: “It’s a Hard Pill to Swallow”
After the match, coach Raymond Mdaka reflected on the result, saying his players gave everything. “It’s a hard pill to swallow, more so if you have a team that you believe can get results. But it’s the nature of football, especially in the knockout stages. You play, you don’t win, and you’re out,” he said.
Mdaka also took pride in his side’s journey, highlighting their growth and resilience throughout the tournament. “Even before one can talk about the match, I think it’s an experience for the boys, the technical team, and everyone who was here at the World Cup,” he added.
A Journey to Remember
Amajita’s World Cup journey was one of promise and progress. After losing their opening match 2-1 to France, they bounced back with impressive wins over New Caledonia (5-0) and the USA (2-1) to reach the knockout stages. Their campaign ends with two wins and two losses — a record that reflects both their potential and the fine margins of international football.
Having won the COSAFA U20 Cup in 2024 and the CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year, Amajita’s run to the Round of 16 shows the country’s youth football is on an upward trajectory.
Also read: Amajita’s Historic Victory Sends South Africa to FIFA U-20 World Cup Knockouts
Amajita Promise to Rise Again
Mdaka expressed gratitude to supporters who rallied behind the team. “We really appreciate the support. We would have loved to reach the quarter-finals, but football being football, it wasn’t to be. With continued support and hard work, we’ll represent the country even better next time,” he said.
South Africa joins Nigeria and Egypt in exiting the competition, leaving Morocco as the only African side still standing — set to face Korea Republic next. Amajita will return home with their heads held high, having shown that the future of football in the country is in good hands.
