11 January 2019 – South Africa’s national Under-20 (Amajita) head coach Thabo Senong has called in 34 players to report for camp leading up to this year’s CAF Africa Under-20 Cup of Nations set to take place in Niger.

The local camp will run from 14–19 January, where Senong and his technical staff will trim down the squad to 21 players before they jet off to Senegal to continue with their preparations there.

The Amajita coach said this camp will serve as a perfect platform to lay a tactical base of getting his players to understand what will be expected of them when they compete in this year’s junior biennial continental showpiece.

Amajita are in Group A, and will lock horns with hosts Niger, Burundi and Nigeria in pursuit of reaching the semi-final stages of the football competition.

A top four finish in this year’s Niger edition, will see South Africa book their place in upcoming FIFA World Cup set to take place in Poland later in the year.

“We brought in a big pool of players because there are a lot of things that we need to assess first before we trim down the squad to 21 players,” Senong said. “This camp will also serve as a perfect opportunity of laying a tactical base of getting our players to understand what will be expected of them when we arrive in Niger.

“Our goal is to see this team reach the semi-final stages of this competition,” Senong added. “However, we do not want our players to be stressing about such. Our goal is to make sure that they enjoy every single match they compete it. That state of mind always leads to positive results being produced on the field.”

As part of their preparations, Amajita will face Senegal on 27 January in an international friendly leading up to their first group match against Niger on 02 February 2019.

Senong said this friendly encounter against their fellow AFCON Under-20 participants, will play a key role in getting his side ready for the tournament.

CAF PROVISIONAL SQUAD LIST

POSITION PLAYER’S NAME CLUB
 GOALKEEPERS:  
1 Buhle DAMANE Vitoria Setubal (PORTUGAL)
2 Khulekani KUBHEKA Cape Umoya FC (SA)
3 Kopano THUNTSANE Orlando Pirates FC (SA)
 DEFENDERS:  
4 Njabulo BLOM Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)
5 Kgomotso CHIWAYO TUKS FC (SA)
6 Malebogo MODISE M. Tigers FC (SA)
7 Bradley CROSS Schalke FC (GERMANY)
8 Keenan ABRAHAMS Ajax Cape Town FC (SA)
9 Givemore KHUPE Cape Umoya FC (SA)
10 Sibusiso MABILISO Amazulu  FC (SA)
11 Fezile GCABA Pele Pele FC (SA)
12 Luke FLUERS Supersport United FC (SA)
13 Lesley Mbongeni KANYANE Bidvest Wits FC (SA)
14 Thabo MOLOISANE Mamelodi Sundowns FC (SA)
15 Keenan PHILLIPS Bidvest Wits FC (SA)
 MIDFIELDERS:  
16 Philasande Mfanafikile DLAMINI Golden Arrows FC (SA)
17 Siphesihle MKHIZE Mamelodi Sundowns FC (SA)
18 Luke LE ROUX Supersport United FC (SA)
19 Duncan ADONIS Cape Town City FC (SA)
20 Nkosingiphile NGCOBO Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)
21 Solly Molahlehi KUNYEDI Bidvest Wits FC (SA)
22 Kobamelo KODISANG AD Sanjoanense FC (PORTUGAL)
23 Promise MKHUMA Mamelodi Sundowns FC (SA)
24 Tashreeq MATTHEWS Borussia Dortmond FC (GERMANY)
25 Simphiwe NCAMANE TS Sporting FC (SA)
26 Goodman MOSELE Baroka FC (SA)
27 Khanya LESHABELA Leicester City FC (ENGLAND)
28 Sphephelo SITHOLE Belenenses FC (PORTUGAL)
29    
STRIKERS  
30 Thabiso MONYANE Orlando Pirates FC (SA)
31 Lyle FOSTER Orlando Pirates FC (SA)
32 Bayanda SHANGASE Amazulu FC (SA)
33 Bongokuhle HLONGWANE Maritzburg United FC (SA)
34 Luvuyo PHEWA Real Kings FC (SA)