Amajimbos make history in Qatar

by Staff Reporter

Monday Nov 03, 2025. 18:02

South Africa claimed its first ever win at the FIFA U-17 World Cup, beating Bolivia 3-1 in Qatar on the tournament’s opening day.

Emile Witbooi, Neo Bohloko and Shaun Els each netted for Amajimbos despite an early red card to Sive Pama.

Head coach Vela Khumalo’s charges showed grit and determination to power past the South American nation on the tournament’s opening day, despite playing with 10 men from the 36th minute.

Both goalkeepers were kept busy during the first half, with Bolivia taking 11 shots at the South African goal in the first period while Bolivia faced six shots from South Africa.

Sive Pama was shown a red card after a successful challenge from Bolivia for his slide tackle on Jario Saldias in the 36th minute.

Despite being reduced to 10-men, Amajimbos struck first, opening the scoring in the 38th minute. Omphemetse Sekgoto broke in behind the Bolivian defence and sent Emile Witbooi on his bike. Witbooi kept his cool, faking out Fernando Mena Tellez, but hit the post. However, Kenyhiro Estrada could not control the rebound and Witbooi pounced, slotting the ball into the back of the net.

Amajimbos doubled their lead in the 50th minute. Substitute Alwande Booysen made an instant impact, crossing to an unmarked Neo Bohloko arriving at the back post for an easy tap-in, taking his tally for Amajimbos to 16 goals in 33 appearances.

Bolivia successfully challenged substitute Lebohang Dhlamini’s tackle Santos Garcia in the box, resulting in a penalty. Jesús Maraude slotted it calmly with a panenka in the 72nd minute to pull one back.

In the 83rd minute, Witbooi was unleashed by a ball forwards, catching the Bolivian backline sleeping. He found himself one-on-one with goalkeeper Geronimo Govea and tried to take the ball around him but ran out of room.

South Africa killed the game off in stoppage time as Booysen provided another assist following another long ball forward, finding substitute Shaun Els at the back post for his side’s third goal of the game.

With one win in the bag, Amajimbos will face hosts Qatar in their second game of the tournament on Thursday.

South Africa U-17: L. Radebe, S. Pama, L. Marthinus, T. Mothapo, L. Hendricks, T. Mlangeni (L. Dhlamini 49’), K. Marletse, O. Sekgoto, S. Stevens (A. Booysen 49’), E. Witbooi (L. Noqobo), N. Bohloko (S. Els 77’)

Bolivia U-17: G. Govea, J. Lazarte, F. Tellez, K. Estrada (I. Rodriguez 77’), M. Espinoza, B. Castedo (J. Michel 77’), L. Sabja (B. Karageorge 18’), J. Maraude, J. Saldias, A. Camacho (N. Nacif 55’), S. Garcia