The South African u20 men’s national team (Amajita), has been officially announced and will gather for a pre-tournament training camp on Sunday, 22 September, in preparation for the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (Cosafa) u20 Championship.
The Cosafa Champs will be hosted in Maputo, Mozambique, from 25 September to 5 October and the stakes are high as both finalists will secure themselves a place in the 2025 CAF u20 Africa Cup of Nations.
Amajita Head Coach Raymond Mdaka‘s squad includes some of South Africa’s most exciting football talent, including Emile Witbooi, who turned 16 at the end of August.
He made a significant impact for the u17 national team during the Fifa u17 TDS Tournament held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire earlier this month, helping the team to two victories over Tanzania and a remarkable 7-4 triumph against Algeria.
In recognition of his outstanding performance, Witbooi, despite his youth, has also been included in Cape Town FC’s line-up for the 2024/25 Betway Premiership.
The squad has been further strengthened by two overseas-based players, Fletcher Smthye-Lowe, who plays for Astoria Praia in Portugal, and Shandre Campbell, who turns out for Club NXT in Belgium.
Speaking to the South African Football Association (Safa), coach Mdaka emphasised the importance of the South African team doing well at the Cosafa Championships.
“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,” he said. “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 added.
South Africa has been drawn in Group C for the Cosafa Championship and will open their challenge with a match against Malawi on Friday, 27 September. Two days later, they take on Lesotho, which will be followed by a last group outing against The Comoros on 1 October.
Should Amajita progress, they’ll be in semi-finals action on 3 October.
| Position | Name & Surname | Club |
| Goalkeepers | ||
| Smythe-Lowe | Astoria Praia | |
| Mazhamba Takalani | Kaizer Chiefs FC | |
| Ratisani Kgoleng | Sekhukhune FC | |
| Defenders | ||
| Mbokazi Mbekezele | Orlando Pirates FC | |
| Smith Tylon | Stellenbosch FC | |
| Taunyana Gopolang | Kaizer Chiefs FC | |
| Tiwani Asekho | Mamelodi Sundowns FC | |
| Timba Sifiso | Kaizer Chiefs FC | |
| Midfielders | Kekana Gomolemo | Mamelodi Sundowns FC |
| Kgosana Ofentse | Kaizer Chiefs FC | |
| Vilakazi Mfundo | Kaizer Chiefs FC | |
| Mabena Siyabonga | Mamelodi Sundowns FC | |
| Maku Lazola | SuperSport United FC | |
| April Shakeel | Cape Town City FC | |
| Autata Lefa | TS Galaxy | |
| Cambell Shandre | Club NXT | |
| Manyama Xhosa | Cape Town City FC | |
| Witbooi Emile | Cape Town City FC | |
| Forwards | Letlhaku Kutlwano | Mamelodi Sundowns FC |
| Mahlangu Thabang | SuperSport United FC |
