Algeria defeats Amajimbos at Afcon, dropping them to second
South Africa dropped points on Sunday after suffering a 0-2 loss against Algeria in their second u17 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) Group D match at the Mohammed VI Football Academy in Salé, Morocco.
Yacine Abed stunned Amajimbos with his two goals, securing a win for the North African side.
Abed, who was named the Man of the Match, netted the first goal for Algeria in the 41st minute. His second came five minutes from the end of regulation time.
The 16-year-old, who plays for club football for Algiers’ Paradou Athletic Club (PAC) Academy, delivered an assist to Melwane Zaidi in Algeria’s opening 2-2 draw with Ghana. That helped his side overcome a 0-2 halftime deficit.
With the loss, South Africa slipped from first place in the group to second. Senegal, who Amajimbos beat in their opening match, scored a 1-0 win over Ghana, leaving the Senegalese in third place.
Two matches in, the Ghanaians are still searching for their first victory in a group many view as the toughest of the four.
The top two teams in the final group standings will automatically progress to the quarterfinals of the tournament and also gain automatic qualification for the FIFA u17 World Cup, which kicks off in November in Qatar.
The third-placed teams will have another opportunity to reach the World Cup through a playoff against the other third-placed sides. The Amajimbos, however, will be aiming for automatic qualification, just like they achieved in 2025.
They could secure their World Cup place with a win over Ghana in their final group match on Wednesday.
