Arrows Starlet Gasa Drives SA U23 Comeback Win Over Algeria
Nhlanhla Gasa came off the bench to score one goal and provide two assists as South Africa U23 secured a 3-1 victory over Algeria in an international friendly at Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium on Thursday evening.
South Africa started the match brightly and dominated the opening 40 minutes, creating several opportunities as they looked to take control of the contest.
Mfundo Vilakazi had two good chances during that period but was unable to find the back of the net, with Algeria struggling to create opportunities of their own.
However, Algeria grew in confidence after the 40-minute mark and created their first real chance in the 42nd minute. Abdelhak Ben Idder tested South Africa goalkeeper Fletcher Smythe-Lowe with a right-footed effort from long range, but Smythe-Lowe produced an excellent save to keep the score level.
Algeria continued to threaten as half-time approached and eventually broke the deadlock on the stroke of the interval.
Yanis Senhadji opened the scoring with a right-footed effort from inside the six-yard box, with Mokarane Bentoumi providing the assist to give Algeria a 1-0 lead at the break.
South Africa returned for the second half with the same intensity they had shown during the opening stages, and their changes immediately made an impact.
Gasa was introduced at the start of the second half and made his presence felt almost immediately. In the 49th minute, he assisted Quwan Plaatjies, who produced a right-footed finish from inside the box into the top-right corner to bring South Africa level.
Just six minutes later, Raymond Mdaka’s side completed the turnaround.
Gasa got on the scoresheet himself in the 55th minute, finding the back of the net with an effort from inside the box after being assisted by Mpho Padime, as South Africa moved 2-1 ahead.
The hosts continued to apply pressure and added a third goal in the 73rd minute through another substitute.
Faiz Abrahams, who had been introduced less than 10 minutes earlier, produced a long-range left-footed effort to extend South Africa’s advantage to 3-1. Gasa was involved once again, providing his second assist of the afternoon.
South Africa continued pushing forward in search of a fourth goal and created further opportunities, but they were unable to add to their tally as the match eventually ended 3-1 in their favour.
Following Thursday’s victory, Mdaka’s side will face Algeria again in another international friendly on Sunday, with the second match also scheduled to take place at Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium.
The two matches form part of South Africa’s preparations for the 2027 U23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
South Africa will face Madagascar in November in the second round of the qualification process, with the first leg scheduled for 9 November and the second leg set for 17 November.
Should South Africa overcome Madagascar, they will advance to the third round of qualification. The first and second legs of that round are scheduled for 22 and 30 March 2027, respectively.
South Africa will qualify for the 2027 U23 AFCON if they successfully navigate that final stage of the qualification process.
Next year’s continental tournament will also serve as the qualification pathway for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, United States, scheduled to take place from 14 to 30 July.
Should South Africa reach the final of the 2027 U23 Africa Cup of Nations, they will secure qualification for the 2028 Olympic Games.
