The South Africa under-23 Tokyo Olympics football team suffered a heartbreaking 4-3 defeat to France at the Saitama Stadium on Sunday.
The match was goalless at half-time after the South Africans missed a penalty. However, the Africans took the lead in the 53rd minute through Kobamelo Kodisang. France equalised through captain Andre-Pierre Signac in the 57th minute, before SA retook the lead thanks to Evidence Makgopa in73rd minute.
Gignac restored parity in the 78th minute only for Teboho Mokoena to give SA the lead once again in the 81st minute. However, Signac got on the scoresheet once more after converting a penalty in the 85th minute making the scores 3-3.
The hearts of South African fans were broken in extra-time when Teji Savanier scored the winner for France, the only time in the match that they had led.
In their first match, South Africa lost 1-0 to Japan while France were thumped 4-1 by Mexico, leaving South Africa in third place and France bottom of the standings heading into the final round of matches.
South Africa will have to beat Mexico on Wednesday, 28 July, to have any chance of progressing to the quarter-finals.
Sunday’s Olympics football results
Japan 2-1 Mexico
New Zealand 2-3 Honduras
Romania 0-4 South Korea
Egypt 0-1 Argentina
Australia 0-1 Spain
Brazil 0-0 Ivory Coast
Saudi Arabia 2-3 Germany.
