The 18-year-old has been included in the South African U20 Men’s national team for the highly anticipated Cosafa U20 Championships.
- Amajita squad announced.
- Chiefs’ Vilakazi included in the team
- Player set to miss crucial PSL match
WHAT HAPPENED?
On Tuesday, September 17, head coach Raymond Mdaka announced his squad for the upcoming youth tournament.
Amajita are set to report to camp on Sunday, September 22, in preparation for the highly anticipated Cosafa U20 Championships, scheduled to take place in Maputo, Mozambique, from September 25 to October 5.
The team is focused on delivering a strong performance in the Cosafa Championships, with their primary goal being qualification for the 2025 Caf U20 Africa Cup of Nations.
WHAT WAS SAID?
“Although some clubs failed to release the players we requested for this important tournament, I believe we have selected a strong quality squad and will be able to achieve our objectives,” Mdaka said via Safa Media.
“Our objective for the Cosafa Championships was clear from the day I came into office. We must go to the 2025 U20 Fifa World Cup, and to do so, we need to be in the top two of the Championships.
“We are grateful to all the clubs who have released their players, and we will ensure that we accomplish the mission at hand;” he concluded.
AMAJITA’S FULL SQUAD
Goalkeepers - Fletcher Smythe-Lowe (Astoria Praia – Portugal), Takalani Mazhamba (Kaizer Chiefs), Kgoleng Ratisani (Sekhukhune)
Defenders - Mbekezele Mbokazi (Orlando Pirates), Tylon Smith (Stellenbosch), Gopolang Taunyana (Kaizer Chiefs), Asekho Tiwani (Mamelodi Sundowns), Sifiso Timba (Kaizer Chiefs)
Midfielders - Gomolemo Kekana (Mamelodi Sundowns), Ofentse Kgosana (Kaizer Chiefs), Mfundo Vilakazi (Kaizer Chiefs), Siyabonga Mabena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Lazola Maku (SuperSport United), Shakeel April (Cape Town City), Lefa Autata (TS Galaxy), Shandre Campbell (Club NXT - Belgium), Xhosa Manyama (Cape Town City), Emile Witbooi (Cape Town City)
Forwards - Kutlwano Letlhaku (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thabang Mahlangu (SuperSport United)
THE BIGGER PICTURE
South Africa have been placed in Group C of the Cosafa Championships and are set to kick off the tournament with their opening match against Malawi on September 27.
Amajita will then face Lesotho on September 29, before taking on Comoros on October 1. Their goal would be to secure a spot in the semi-finals, which will take place on October 3, 2024.