3 July 2018 – The organizer of the Northern Cape u17 Solar Youth Cup, Willie Motlogelwa is over the moon following the inclusion of the tournament’s player of the tournament and top goal-scorer Jerome Karelse into the South African u17 (Amajimbos) squad preparing for the COSAFA u17 championships in Mauritius.
Karelse has been included in the national u17 provisional squad of 32 players by coach Molefi Ntseki to be in camp for the championships that will take place in the Indian Ocean island from 19-29 July.
The squad will be trimmed to 20 players just before the team leaves for Mauritius on 15 July 2018.
Motlogelwa who brought together teams from Northern Cape’s 5 Regions in a bid to unearth an abundant of talent in the vast Province said the selection of Karelse in the u17 squad will galvanise him and his partners to work even harder in having such tournaments in the area on regular occasions.
“The aim of the Northern Cape Solar Youth Cup was mainly to discover the talent in the Province and two weeks after we held the finals in Kimberley, one of the players is now in the national team.
“This is good for the Province, the Region Pixley-ka-Seme, the sponsors of the tournament and everyone involved,” said Motlogelwa.
He said he expected many more players from the tournament to make it into the big leagues and thanked the sponsors for providing the youngsters with the opportunity to show their talent.
The Solar Youth Cup is sponsored by REISA, Kathu Solar, Lesedi Power Project, NC Dept of Sports, Arts and Culture, Sishen Solar Facility, LaLiga, EDS, Loago Sports SA in association with the South African Football Association.
Amajimbos have been drawn in Group B alongside Lesotho, Mozambique and defending champions Zambia.
South Africa will open their account with a clash against Lesotho on Friday, 20 July at 13h30, and a fixture against Mozambique will follow two days later (Sunday, 22 July) at 10h00 – and both matches will be played at Auguste Vollaire Stadium in Flacq.
For the final group stages, Amajimbos will travel to the capital Port Louis to play Zambia on Tuesday, 24 July at St Francois Xavier Stadium at 13h00.
PRELIMINARY AMAJIMBOS SQUAD FOR COSAFA CUP
| GOALKEEPERS: | |||
| 1. | CONSTI CHRISTODOULOU | MARITZBURG UNITED | KZN |
| 2. | THABANG MAEMA | SCHOOL SPORTS | GAUTENG |
| 3. | LEBOGANG NTHENE | LOUIS BOTHA | FREE STAGE |
| 4. | BONTLE MOLEFE | KAIZER CHIEFS | GAUTENG |
| DEFENDERS: | |||
| 5. | BHONGO LAWANA | SUPERSPORT UNITED | GAUTENG |
| 6. | SPHIWE NKABINDE | STARS OF AFRICA | GAUTENG |
| 7. | BONGOLWETHU SIYASI | AJAX CAPE TOWN | CAPE TOWN |
| 8. | LEORANDO ROOI | SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE | GAUTENG |
| 9. | KIERON JACKS | SUPERSPORT UNITED | GAUTENG |
| 10. | NELSON RALENKOANE | NAVALSIG HIGH | FREE STATE |
| 11. | ATHENKOSI MCABA | BIDVEST WITS | GAUTENG |
| 12. | BHEKI CELE | ORLANDO PIRATES | GAUTENG |
| 13. | BARRY SITHOLE | SUPERSPORT UNITED | LIMPOPO |
| MIDFIELDERS: | |||
| 14. | VUSIMUZI PLAMANA | FISH HOEK AFC | CAPE TOWN |
| 15. | STORM JONAS | BIDVEST WITS | GAUTENG |
| 16. | THATO MATLI | MAMELODI SUNDOWNS | GAUTENG |
| 17. | SIYANDA NYANGA | UNIVERSITY OF JHB | GAUTENG |
| 18. | THABANI GUMEDE | ORLANDO GUMEDE | GAUTENG |
| 19. | DANTE BROWN | AJAX CAPE TOWN | CAPE TOWN |
| 20. | MOHAMMED SHAHABODIEN | STARS OF AFRICA | GAUTENG |
| 21. | AZOLA TSHOBENI | ORLANDO PIRATES | GAUTENG |
| 22. | BOIPELO MASHEGO | UNTERHATCHING | GERMANY |
| 23. | THANDO BUTHELEZI | MAMELODI SUNDOWNS | GAUTENG |
| 24. | LUNGELO MAKAMBI | ORLANDO PIRATES | GAUTENG |
| 25. | JEAN PIERRE | AJAX CAPE TOWN | CAPE TOWN |
| 26. | KATLEGO TSOTETSI | SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE | GAUTENG |
| 27. | JAMES MCFARLANE | KAIZER CHIEFS | GAUTENG |
| STRIKERS: | |||
| 28. | JEROME KARELSE | ORION HIGH SCHOOL | NORTHERN CAPE |
| 29. | MOTLHALOSI NARE | ALEX ACES | GAUTENG |
| 30. | BOITUMELO RADIOPANE | SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE | GAUTENG |
| 31. | OLEFILE RAMATLO | MEADOWLANDS ACADEMY | GAUTENG |
| 32. | MTHOKOZISI BALAKASI | KAIZER CHIEFS | GAUTENG |