Kaizer Chiefs wonderboy, Neo Bohloko scored his third goal of the 2025 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, but it was not enough to see South Africa through the quarterfinals, as they went down 3-1 to hosts, Morocco, in Mohammedia on Thursday.

Bohloko, who had scored twice from the penalty spot in Amajimbos’ group stage match against Egypt, equalised early in the second half at the El Bachir stadium, before Morocco scored twice in two minutes just past the hour mark to progress to the semifinals.

Despite the disappointment, South Africa, by virtue of being one of the top 10 teams at the tournament, have secured qualification for the finals of the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup, which takes place in Qatar in November.