South Africa booked their place in the quarter-finals of the 2025 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations despite losing 2-0 in their final Group B game on Sunday, Afrosport reports.
The Amajimbos were already on the cusp of making it into the last eight after gathering four points from their opening two games.
They were however powerless to stop a solid Burkinabe side in the last group game, first losing a penalty by Neo Bohloko in the 26th minute before Issouf Bara scored opening goal for Burkina Faso in the 65th minute off an assist by Asharaf Tapsoba who netted the second in the 89th minute.
The defeat was enough to hand South Africa second place after Egypt defeated 10-man Cameroon 2-1 in the other Group B game.
3/8.
South Africa are on to the quarter-finals!
#TotalEnergiesAFCONU17 pic.twitter.com/pSN65C7htV
— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) April 6, 2025
The Egyptians got their first win of the tournament and finished third ahead of the Cameroonians who were only able to garner a solitary point from three games.
Meanwhile in Group A, Zambia also qualified after beating Uganda 2-1. The Young Chipolopolo finished second with seven points, four ahead of the Ugandans who settled for third.
Hosts Morocco claimed top spot after a 3-0 win over 10-man Tanzania. The Young Atlas Lions finished top of Group A by virtue of a superior head-to-head record over the Zambians while the Tanzanians finished bottom with no points at all.
5/8.
Zambia have booked their quarter-finals ticket!
#TotalEnergiesAFCONU17 pic.twitter.com/PqN89kF06R
— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) April 6, 2025
By finishing in the top two, Morocco, Zambia, Burkina Faso and South Africa have all booked their place in the expanded 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar.
