The South African Men’s Futsal team made history at the 2019 AMF Futsal World Cup by becoming the first African nation to qualify for the quarter-finals of the global tournament, writes DYLAN APPOLIS.

South Africa jetted off to Misiones Argentina to participate in their maiden AMF Futsal World Cup.

The South African Men’s side overturned a 4-1 deficit to secure a 7-6 victory over Italy in their opening match at the World Cup.

They managed to make it two wins out of two when they claimed a 4-2 victory over Australia in their second match of the group.

However, South Africa tasted their first defeat in their final Group C encounter when they fell to a 9-2 defeat at the hands of host nation Argentina.

The South Africans finished second in Group C behind the host nation to qualify for their first-ever quarter-final.

SAFF assistant coach Lee Carter said: ‘I knew Italy didn’t like to be pressed and it would force them to make mistakes. As soon as we started playing with our rhythm, the crowd got on to our side and absolutely loved us.’

The South Africans will now take on Catalonia when the two sides go head to head for a place in the semi-final of the AMF Futsal World Cup.