African champions Amajita opened their 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup campaign with a 2-1 defeat to France in Group C at Estadio El Teniente on Monday night.
Anthony Bermont opened the scoring for France in the 25th minute which was cancelled by Jody Ah Sheen’s penalty seven minutes later, but Lucas Michal got the winner late in the second half.
In the opening minutes of the game South Africa survived early attacks from Tadjidine Mmadi whose effort went wide in the 11th minute and from Mayssam Benama six minutes later with the latter being denied by the woodwork.
They were rewarded in the 25th minute when Bermont capitalised on a rebound ball and scored to break the deadlock.
South Africa could have pulled one back in the 28th minute through Ah Sheen but he was beaten to the ball by the French goalkeeper. Five minutes later Kutlwano Letlhaku was fouled in the box and Amajita were awarded a penalty that Ah Shene converted to equalise.
France had a chance to extend the lead five minute before the break through Michal but he was blocked twice by the Amajita defence. Fletcher Smyth-Lowe was called to make a save in injury-time of the first half to deny Gady-Pierre Beyuku and keep the score level at half-time.
The sides returned unchanged in the second stanza with the opening minutes not producing much action in terms of goal action though France dominated possession. Ten minutes into the second half Michal missed an opportunity to reinstate France’s lead as he hit the side of the side and two minutes later was denied by Tylon Smith.
There was also an attempt from Ousmane Toure four minutes after the hour mark as he missed the target shooting over the bar. Amajita also had a brilliant opportunity to take the lead for the first time through Shakeel April with 15 minutes left to play but he narrowly missed the target while Siviwe Magidigidi was denied by the keeper two minutes later.
They were made to regret wasting chances and Michal scored the winner for France in the 79 minute. Amajita’s next encounter is against New Caledonia on Friday morning (01:00).