Amaglug-glug's Olympic dream hangs by a thread

Cape Town - South Africa's chances of fighting for the soccer gold medal at the Rio Olympics next year were severely dented after Amaglug-glug lost 2-0 to Algeria in the semi-finals of the Under-23 AFCON tournament in Dakar.

Goals by Darfalou in the 17th minute and Benkhemassa just after half-time, ensured Algeria will play Nigeria in the final of the competition on Saturday. 

Owen da Gama's charges still have a chance of qualifying for the Olympics in Rio next year, but will have to defeat Senegal on Saturday afternoon in a third/fourth place play-off match for the final qualification spot. 

The two teams met in earlier in the tournament with Senegal running out convincing 3-1 winners. 

Score

South Africa  0

Algeria  2 (Darfalou, Benkhemassa)

Teams

South Africa

Jody February (GK), Kwanda Mngonyama, Rivaldo Coetzee, Tebogo Moerane, Abbubaker Mobara, Keagan Dolly (captain), Phumlani Ntshangase, Menzi Masuku, Deolin Mekoa, Riyaad Norodien, Gift Motupa

Substitutes: Ricardo Goss (GK), Kyle Peters (GK), Tshepo Rikhotso, Zitha Macheke, Denwin Farmer, Siphelele Ntshangase, Sibusiso Sibeko, Paseka Mako, Phakamani Mahlambi, Dumisani Zuma

Algeria

Salhi, Abdellaoui, Keniche, Benkhemassa, Ferhat, Chita, Darfalou, Ben Taharm, Benguit, Ferhani, Draoui