Following their opening 3-1 loss to Senegal, and then trailing 1-0 at half-time to Zambia, the South Africans rallied, scoring three goals in seven minutes to secure a 3-2 win on Tuesday night to ensure they live to fight another day in the U-23 Afcon Championships.
Here’s the group as it stands:
Group A
Team P W L D GF GA GD PTS
Senegal 2 2 0 0 5 1 4 6
South Africa 2 1 1 0 4 5 -1 3
Tunisia 2 1 1 0 2 3 -1 3
Zambia 2 0 2 0 3 5 -2 0
After their 2-0 win over Tunisia, Senegal have now won both their group matches, and have qualified as Group A winners, regardless of what happens on Matchday 3 – Senegal have beaten both South African and Tunisia, so even if they lose to Zambia in their last game, they will remain on top of the table based on head-to-head matches.
South Africa and Tunisia, who square off on Friday, sit joint-second in the group, meaning it is a straight shootout for the remaining qualifying berth.
And should they play out a draw and end the group tied, CAF laws state that after the head-to head rule, the team with the greater goal difference would progress:
Article 68
68.1 In case of equality between two teams at the end of the group matches, the teams will be ranked according to the following criteria in the order listed below:
68.1.1 The greatest number of points obtained in the match between the two teams concerned;
68.1.2 The goal difference in all group matches;
68.1.3 The greatest number of goals scored in all group matches;
68.1.4 A drawing of lots conducted by the Organising Committee
As stated above, if the goal difference remains the same (as is currently the case between South African and Tunisia), the team with the greater number of goals scored will progress. South Africa have currently scored 4, Tunisia 2.
So the equation is simple: a win or draw against Tunisia on Friday, and South Africa will be in the Last 4.