21 January 2019 –South Africa’s National Under-20 (Amajita) midfielder Khanya Leshabela said he felt honored after receiving his first national junior call-up, adding that coach Thabo Senong played a part in helping him achieve his childhood dream.

The 19-year old Leicester City midfielder is part of the Under-20 provisional squad players who travelled to Randburg, Gauteng this morning for their Pre-Competition Medical Assessment required by CAF before any player can feature in any of their football tournaments.

The purpose of this test is to identify any potential medical conditions, which might serve as a hindrance for any player to being declared fit to play.

Amajita’s 28-man provisional squad will be trimmed down to 21 players ahead of their trip to Niger on Wednesday, 23 January.

Amajita are in camp preparing for the upcoming Africa Under-20 Cup of Nations set to take place in Niger from 2 – 17 February 2019.

A top four finish in that continental tournament will see them qualifying for this year’s FIFA Under-20 World Cup to take place in Poland later in the year.

Amajita’s team doctor, Dr. Simthandile Toni, explained what the Pre-Competition Medical Assessment is all about.

“The aim of the Pre-Competition Medical Assessment is to identify any potential significant medical conditions which might serve playing football dangerous for any player’s involvement or participation in a tournament,” Toni said. “The medical history, physical characteristics and pathological findings might also include the risk of future injuries as well as other health risks such as cardiac arrests occurring on the field.

“Electrocardiogram and echocardiogram tests will be conducted to screen cardiac anomalies that might predispose to sudden cardiac arrests taking place.”

Toni added: “These tests have proven to being vital in avoiding such incidents occurring on the field of play.”