Tokyo Olympics football: SA crash out after late France heartbreak

The South Africa under-23 Tokyo Olympics football dream ended on Sunday with a heartbreaking 4-3 defeat to France at the Saitama Stadium on Sunday, 25 July.

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The match was goalless at half-time, but South Africa took the lead in the 53rd minute through Kobamelo Kodisang.

France equalised through Andre-Pierre Gignac (57th minute) before SA retook the lead thanks to Evidence Makgopa (73rd minute).

Gignac restored parity in the 78th minute only for Teboho Mokoena to give SA the lead once again in the 81st minute.

However, that man Gignac converted a penalty in the 85th-minute putting the score at 3-3.

SA fans’ hearts were broken in extra-time when Teji Savanier scored the winner for France – the only time in the match that they had led.

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In their first match, SA lost 1-0 to Japan while France were thumped 4-1 by Mexico, leaving SA in third place and France bottom of the standings heading into the final round of matches.

SA will have to beat Mexico on Wednesday, 28 July at 13:30 SA time to have any chance of progressing to the quarter-finals.

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TEAMS:

France

Bernardoni; Michelin, Nkonkou, Kalulu, Caci; Savanier, Tousart; Thauvin, Mbuku, Kolo Muani; Gignac

South Africa

Williams; Mohamme, Fleurs, Malepe; Frosler, Cele, Ngcobo, Kodisang, Mokoena; Singh, Makgopa