17 January 2018 – The South African U17 Men’s National Football team (Amajimbos), has been forced to make logistical changes to their training camp due to the shocking death of Swaziland Federation Vice President Victor Gamedze.
Amajimbos were scheduled to travel to Swaziland today for two international practice matches which were to take place tomorrow, Thursday 18 January and Saturday 20 January 2018.
Mr Gamedze was shot dead on Sunday evening, putting the entire Swazi nation into mourning. As a result of this tragic happening, Swaziland requested Amajimbos to cancel the trip.
Mr Gamedze will be buried of Sunday.
Team manager, Barney Kujane said he understood the dilemma the death of Mr Gamedze put Swaziland in.
“The South African Football Association (SAFA) would like to extend its deepest condolences to the family and friends of VP Gamedze and the football fraternity as a whole. This is a huge tragedy; we therefore understand and support their request to cancel our trip.
“The team will continue training this morning in Johannesburg as we look to see if we can alter our plans and possibly get another neighbouring country to play at such short notice,” said Kujane.
Amajimbos are in their first training camp of the year which was scheduled to conclude on Sunday, 21 January 2018.
This is part of their preparations for 2018 in which they play in the 2018 COSAFA Youth Championships, and prospects of qualifying for the 2019 CAF U-17 African Cup of Nations and 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup.