Amajimbos, Tanzania settle for a draw

The South Africa Under-17s ( Amajimbos) were held to a 1-1 draw by visiting Tanzania in the second round, first leg of the Afcon qualifier in a tight game played at Dobsonville stadium on Saturday afternoon.

On a sun-drenched afternoon, Molefi Ntseki’s side could have settled for a more positive result but will still be hopeful going into the second leg which will be played in Dar es Salaam on 21 August 2016.

Amajimbos, who are fresh from winning silver in the Cosfaa Under-17 Youth Championships two weeks ago, were the first to settle down but Tanzania were always dangerous with their swift counter-attacks.

It was actually the visitors who could have opened the scoring in the 25th minute when the dangerous Asadi Juma rifled home a powerful shot but Tshepo Mohui in goals for Amajimbos saved the day for the hosts.

Moments later, James Monyane saw his header well saved by Ramadhan Kabwili as the hosts chased for the opening goal.

In the 35th minute, Tanzania’s Ally Msengi hit the cross bar as the match swung from one end to the other.

Soon after the break, Ibrahim Ali wasted another glaring chance for the visitors as the East Africans asked more questions.

But it was Amajimbos who took the lead midway through the second half when captain Luke Le Roux made no mistake from the penalty spot.

Moments later, Tanzania earned themselves a penalty which Msengi dispatched with aplomb to make it 1-1.