6 October 2019 – Interim head coach of the South African U-17 Men’s National Team, Amajimbos, Vela Khumalo, has named his final 20-man squad that will compete in the 2019 COSAFA U-17 Men’s Championship.

The tournament is scheduled to take place in Blantyre, Malawi from 11 — 20 October.

Khumalo says it was not an easy process to go through, given the fact that he had a very talented group of 30 players to select the travelling squad from.

He is, however, pleased with the personnel that will represent South Africa in Malawi.

“I must admit that we had a very difficult time coming up with the final team, and that is mainly because the boys we had called up in our provisional squad were just too good in their respective positions,” said Khumalo.

“After a thorough assessment we had to go with the 20 players as per the regulations of the tournament, but I know that even the ones being left behind are very talented unfortunately we can’t take them with. I am also confident that they will represent the country well in the COSAFA Cup. I am very positive they will fight to reach the final.”

Khumalo added that he has gone for much younger players to compete in the tournament, because the focus is on the future, not the immediate.

“We could have brought in much older players as compared to the U-14s and U-15s we had selected to compete in this year’s COSAFA edition. However, that approach was going to hurt our plans in the long run as we are preparing for next year’s COSAFA tournament, which will also double up as the 2021 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations which we want to qualify for,” added Khumalo.

“Getting a spot there will give us an advantage as our ultimate goal is to qualify for the 2021 FIFA U-17 Men’s World Cup – and we can only achieve that by giving these young players the needed experience to grow from this year’s tournament, so that they can get used to this level of competition come next year’s U-17 AFCON qualifiers.”

In the 2019 edition of the COSAFA Cup, Amajimbos are pitted in Group A alongside hosts Malawi, Zambia and Eswatini.

The top two nations will proceed to the semi-finals of the competition.

Amajimbos will travel to Malawi on 9 October, building up to their first Group A tie against the hosts on 12 October.

 

MEN’S U17 NATIONAL TEAM SQUAD LIST

 2019 COSAFA 

GOAL KEEPERS PLAYER’S NAME CLUB/SQUAD/SCHOOL
1. Werner OOSTHUISEN Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)
2. Alessandro MATJIE Ajax Cape Town FC (SA)
 DEFENDERS
3. Simphiwe MHLABELWANA Mamelodi Sundowns FC (SA)
4. Lyema DOPOLO Supersport United FC (SA)
5. Simthandile SISHI  Stars Of Africa Academy (SA)
6. Sakhile Hopewell MKHIZE Trouble Tigers FC (SA)
7. Tshepo Sechaba MODISE Crawford School
8. Jaden Thierry HARTSENBERG Supersport FC (SA)
 MIDFIELDERS
9. Modisane KARABO  University of Johannesburg (SA)
10. Langelihle MAJOLA  Amazulu FC (SA)
11. Ntando NKOSI Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)
12. Lindokuhle MBUTHO Highlands Park FC (SA)
13. Innocent MAILULA  Bidvest Wits FC (SA)
14. Ndzalama MHANGWANA Mamelodi Sundowns FC (SA)
15. Yamkela PHALANE School of Excellence (SA)
16. Moduduzi MOKOENA Supersport FC (SA)
FORWARDS
17. Froneha Luciano JONAS  Western Cape Squad (SA)
18. Wilcher DYASI  AP Apprentice Academy (SA)
19. Neo DIKGALE TUKS FC (SA)
20. Thabang TumeloMAHLANGU Rosina Sedibane (SA)