The national U20 men’s football team downed Kenya 3-1 in an exciting international friendly match at the Tsakane Stadium in Brakpan on Saturday.

Goals from captain Tercius Malepe and second-half substitutes Menzi Ndwande and Lehlohonolo Radebe were enough to give Amajita victory.

South Africa were using the match to prepare for the upcoming 2016 COSAFA U20 Cup that will be held in Rustenburg from 7-12 December.

Both teams started at a low tempo, especially Kenya who had challenges with their travel arrangements and only arrived in South Africa at midnight on Friday.

Amajita took the lead in the 28th minute from the penalty spot after Itumeleng Shopang was fouled in the box – Malepe the scorer.

Shopang was proving to be a menace to the Kenyan defence and almost scored the second within a minute after dribbling past a cluster of defenders, but his shot went narrowly wide.

After the break, it was end-to-end stuff as both teams played attacking football – with Kenya looking for an equaliser while South Africa wanted to extend their lead.

It was the visitors who managed to find the goal in the 76th minute when second-half substitute Francis Kinyua rifled a shot past Amajita goalkeeper Sanele Tshabalala.

When it seemed the match was heading for a stalemate, Ndwandwe pounced with a beautiful header three minutes from time to restore South Africa’s lead.

The celebrations had hardly died down when Radebe scored the third in referee’s optional time, with an easy tap in, to give the hosts a convincing 3-1 win in front of a decent crowd.

Amajita will now move their preparations to Rustenburg as the COSAFA U20 gets closer.

Here’s how South Africa lined up: Sanele  Tshabalala (GK), Kabelo Seriba, Tebogo Rahlogo, Sphumelele Mbulu (Sipho Mbule), Wiseman Meyiwa, Itumeleng Shopang (Menzi Ndwandwe), Nkosingiphile Ngcobo, Luther Singh (Lehlohonolo Radebe), Tercius Malepe (C), Katleho Ntshabeleng (Sifundo Jesus Sibiya), Given Msimango.
Subs: Darren Johnson (GK), Happy Mashiane, Menzi Ndwandwe, Sipho Mbule, Sifundo Jesus Sibiya, Given Thibedi, Bonolo Seeco, Thabiso Mofolo, Brandon Josephs, Lehlohonolo Radebe. See more at: http://www.sascoc.co.za/2016/11/27/amajita-cruise-past-kenya-in-friendly/#sthash.t6CUyh5e.dpuf