By Levy Masiteng
South Africa’s Under-15 boys’ national football team secured an emphatic 13-1 victory over Anguilla in their third match of the FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Sunday.
The victory at the Hövsan Competition Complex saw SA bounce back from their earlier defeat to Kosovo, with the youngsters producing a dominant attacking performance to take their goal tally to 22 in three matches at the inaugural tournament.
Tshiamo Mashishi and Camden Schaper were the standout performers, scoring three goals each as South Africa recorded their second victory in three matches at the inaugural tournament.
Lesedi Hlalele and Katlego Mokhabuki also made important contributions, scoring two goals apiece, while Neo Dhlamini, Bohlale Finger and Keanu Moses added one goal each.
South Africa led 5-1 at half-time before continuing their scoring spree in the second half.
The result took South Africa to six points in Group A, placing them third in the standings after three matches.
The team’s impressive goal-scoring record has made them one of the standout attacking sides in the group, having scored 22 goals and conceded only three in their opening three matches.
South Africa opened their campaign with an 8-0 demolition of the Maldives, getting their tournament off to a flying start.
Mashishi scored twice in that encounter, while Moses, Finger, Reatlegile Mosimane, Hlalele, Tumelo Moerane and Inganathi Saliwa also found the back of the net.
However, their second match proved more challenging, as they suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat to Kosovo.
The young South Africans responded emphatically against Anguilla, rediscovering their attacking rhythm to register their second victory of the tournament.
With 22 goals scored across three matches, South Africa will look to carry their attacking momentum into their remaining group fixtures against Estonia and France.
Coached by Selekedi Mogale, South Africa are scheduled to face Estonia and France on Monday, 26 October, in their remaining qualification-stage matches.
The FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival is being held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from October 24 to 30, bringing together young players from around the world in the competition’s inaugural edition.
Unlike conventional 11-a-side football, the tournament uses an eight-a-side format, with matches played on smaller pitches over two 20-minute halves. The competition also features modified rules, including kick-ins instead of throw-ins, as part of FIFA’s youth development initiative.
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