Ajax Cape Town midfielder Grant Margemen says he is honoured to be part of the Burger King-sponsored South African u20 Men’s National Team.

He joined Amajita during their third phase of preparations for the continental showpiece and was immediately thrown into the starting line-up in the opening match of the CAF u20 Africa Cup of Nations currently underway in Zambia.

Margemen was on the bench against Senegal but returned to the first eleven in the third match of the tournament where he scored in the 59th minute against Sudan.

The 19-year-old has now made four appearances for his country.

“I am honoured to have been called up to the Amajita squad and I am also very excited that I played a role in us qualifying for the 2017 FIFA U20 World Cup. It has always been my dream to represent my country and it was a special moment for me to score against Sudan. We had a mission when we came here, and we realised that goal, what more can one ask for?” said Margemen.

“I foresee the next couple of months being very hectic but exciting at the same time. South Africa will have a chance to display its talent on the world’s biggest stage. I am proud of this team, I am proud of the players and I am thankful for all the support, not just for myself but the entire team. Now the plan is to work harder so that one can be part of the final squad that will travel to South Korea.”

Amajita lost 1-0 to the hosts in the first semi-final at Heroes National Stadium in Lusaka, Zambia on Wednesday night (8 March 2017). Margemen says they are disappointed.

“Yes, we are disappointed that we did not make it to the final of this tournament, and also the fact that we have lost to Zambia in three successive matches. But that is all in the past, our focus is not on the bronze medal match coming up, and we will do our best to return home with that medal, to add to our qualification for the World Cup,” added Margemen.

In the 3rd/4th place play off, South Africa will face the winner between Guinea and Senegal who will battle it out in the second semi final of the CAF U20 African Cup of Nations.

The bronze medal clash will be played on Sunday, 12 March 2017 at Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.

Kickoff is at 14h00.