FIFA World Cup
By Sello Masilo
Amajita, South Africa’s U20 men’s national team, led by coach Raymond Mdaka, has arrived in Cairo, Egypt, ahead of the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), set to kick off on 27 April. The team departed on Wednesday, 23 April, with high hopes of securing a spot in the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile, scheduled for 27 September to 19 October 2025. Amajita will face a challenging Group A, starting with a clash against hosts Egypt at the Cairo International Stadium on Sunday at 8pm SA time.
A Tough Road to World Cup Qualification
Amajita have been drawn into Group A alongside Zambia, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, and Egypt for the U20 AFCON, which runs from 27 April to 18 May 2025. The tournament, hosted in Egypt after Ivory Coast withdrew, is a critical stepping stone for the team’s ultimate goal: qualifying for the FIFA U20 World Cup. The top four semi-finalists will earn automatic qualification to represent Africa at the global event in Chile.
Coach Raymond Mdaka, speaking after a 4-1 practice match victory against Sekhukhune United reserves at Bedfordview Country Club on Tuesday, expressed cautious optimism despite significant squad challenges. “The objectives remain unchanged. We want to compete and secure a spot in the World Cup,” Mdaka said, highlighting the team’s focus on performing against strong opposition.
Squad Challenges: Key Players Sidelined
Mdaka provided a squad update, revealing that several key players will miss the tournament due to injuries and club commitments. “Siyabonga Mabena has been injured, he was one of the key players. Mbekezeli Mbokazi, one of the key players who started every programme with him, we thought we’d have him. But unfortunately, we won’t have him,” Mdaka said, expressing disappointment over the absence of the Mamelodi Sundowns attacker and Orlando Pirates defender.
Mbokazi’s withdrawal by Orlando Pirates is particularly significant, as the club faces a critical period in the Betway Premiership, CAF Champions League, and Nedbank Cup, with injuries to defenders Olisa Ndah and Thabiso Sesane. Similarly, Shandre Campbell, a standout winger at Club Brugge in Belgium, was not released due to first-team commitments during their championship run. Ofentse Kgosana, another key player from previous camps, is also likely to miss out.
Despite these setbacks, Mdaka remains confident in the squad’s depth. “We will be missing Shandre [Campbell]. Mbokazi and Ofentse [Kgosana] also might not be with us as key players, we had in all our previous camps,” he noted, but highlighted positive developments with other players.
Bright Spots: Key Inclusions and Arrangements
On a positive note, Mamelodi Sundowns and SuperSport United have made arrangements to support Amajita. Team captain Asekho Tiwani, a Sundowns defender, will join the squad in Egypt after his club’s CAF Champions League semi-final second leg against Al Ahly on Friday. SuperSport United’s Neo Rapoo, a versatile player, has been allowed to play in a crucial Betway Premiership match against Polokwane City before joining the team on Monday.
Kaizer Chiefs have released their talented youngster Mfundo Vilakazi, a dynamic midfielder known as “Obrigado,” who is expected to play a pivotal role. Mamelodi Sundowns’ Kutlwano Letlhaku, another promising talent, is also part of the travelling squad. New additions like Langelihle Phili (Stellenbosch FC), Siviwe Nkwali, and Asekho Tiwani, who missed the COSAFA U20 Championships, bolster the team’s prospects.
The return of Portuguese-based goalkeeper Fletcher Lowe-Smythe, who was instrumental in Amajita’s COSAFA Cup victory last year, further strengthens the squad. Additionally, Cape Town Spurs’ Luke Baartman, a trusted attacker, has recovered from injury and resumed training, offering hope for a late inclusion in the final 21-man squad.
A Formidable Group A Challenge
Amajita face a daunting Group A, often dubbed the “Group of Death” due to the presence of hosts Egypt, a former champion, and strong sides like Zambia, Sierra Leone, and Tanzania. Egypt, playing on home soil, will be a tough opening opponent, with their passionate fans and a title to their name. Zambia and Sierra Leone bring physicality and tactical discipline, while Tanzania’s youth development has shown promise in recent years.
Mdaka acknowledged the challenge but remained unfazed. “All groups must be respected. We are fine with the group we have, and we will prepare to play our best,” he said earlier this year after the draw in Cairo. The team’s preparation included a training camp in Johannesburg starting 20 April and the practice match against Sekhukhune United, which Mdaka described as a “tough, physical challenge” to simulate AFCON conditions.
Path to Glory: COSAFA Success and Beyond
Amajita earned their place in the 2025 U20 AFCON by winning the COSAFA U20 Championships in Maputo, Mozambique, in October 2024, defeating Zambia 2-0 in the final without conceding a single goal throughout the tournament. This victory marked their ninth COSAFA U20 Cup title and secured their first AFCON qualification since 2019, when they finished third in Niger and earned a FIFA U20 World Cup spot.
The team’s COSAFA success, led by players like Siyabonga Mabena and Ofentse Kgosana, showcased their potential, but the absence of several stars due to club refusals tested Mdaka’s squad depth. Cape Town City’s Jody Ah Shene scored the decisive goal in the semi-final against Angola, a moment that highlighted the team’s resilience.
South Africa’s U20 history includes a second-place finish at the 1997 African Youth Championship in Morocco and appearances at the FIFA U20 World Cup in 1997, 2009, 2017, and 2019. However, they have yet to lift the AFCON title, with their best performances being a silver medal in 1997 and a bronze in 2019. Mdaka’s current squad aims to make history by winning the continental crown and securing World Cup qualification.
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