21 November 2020 – South Africa’s National Under-20 (Amajita) side are in camp preparing for this year’s upcoming COSAFA Men’s Under-20 Championship.
The tournament is set to run from 3 – 13 December in Port Elizabeth.
Amajita coach Helman Mkhalele has roped in 28 players for his provisional squad out of which, he will select his final 20 that will represent South Africa at this year’s COSAFA Region football tournament.
In this year’s tournament, Amajita are pitted in Group A alongside side neighbors Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Lesotho; where they will fight for a top two finish in order to progress into the knockout rounds of the competition.
Amajita will first face Zimbabwe on 3 December at the Wolfson Stadium at 15h30, before locking horns with Lesotho,three days later, at the very same match venue and kick-off time.
Amajita’s final group match will take place on 8 December against Mozambique at the Wolfson Stadium at 15h30.
Mkhalele, who led his charges to last year’s final only to lose against Zambia in the final, stated that they go into this year’s edition with one intention – to win the tournament.
“I am truly looking forward to this year’s COSAFA Men’s Under-20 Championship,” Mkhalele said. “We have roped in talented players which I believe have what it takes to represent the country in at the upcoming tournament. We can only take 20 of them to the tournament and I believe each and every one of them, do have what it takes to make the team.
“Our mission for this year’s COSAFA edition is no different from what we wanted to achieve in last year’s,” Mkhalele added. “We want to win this year’s COSAFA championship and also qualify for next year’s U-20 AFCON tournament set to take place in Mauritania, too. A top two finish earns us a spot in next year’s AFCON edition, however, walking away being crowned this year’s COSAFA Men’s Under-20 Championship will also make us extremely proud.
“We lost out to Zambia in last year’s COSAFA final and we just want to improve from that performance.”
Meanwhile, Mkhalele applauded Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis for winning her fourth consecutive COSAFA Women’s Championship title, adding that such brilliance can only serve as a motivation for both him and his charges to do well in this year’s COSAFA Men’s Under-20 Championship edition.
“One always draws inspiration from those who are doing well in their crafts,” Mkhalele said. “Coach Desiree Ellis has done extremely well with her charges in winning her fourth consecutive COSAFA title. I would really like to applaud her for that and say that she must keep up with the good work she has been doing for the nation. I made the boys aware of how the Banyana Banyana team fared in this competition, and how important it is for us to do the same for our nation, too. Everybody is fully aware of the responsibility that is now on our shoulders and we will give it our utmost best to make the country proud.”
South Africa’s National Under-20 (Amajita) provisional squad for the 2020 COSAFA Men’s Under-20 Championship
NO: | PLAYER’S NAME | CLUB |
Goalkeepers | ||
1. | Olwethu MZIMELA | AmaZulu FC |
2. | Bontle MOLEFE | Kaizer Chiefs |
3. | Sipho MASETI | TS Galaxy FC |
Defenders | ||
3. | Nkosikhona RADEBE | KZN Academy |
4. | Kyle COIMBRA | Bedfordview FC |
5. | Nelson RALENKOANE | Orlando Pirates |
6. | Athenkosi MCABA | Wits |
7. | Paul MAKOLA | MamelodiSundowns |
8. | Macbeth MAHLANGU | TS Galaxy |
Midfielders | ||
9. | Rivaldo PRESENT | Ubuntu FC |
10. | Sydney MALIVHA | Matanada Rockers FC |
11. | Bilal BALOYI | SuperSport United |
12. | Boikanyo SEGOTLONG | Orlando Pirates |
13. | Mpho MATHEBULA | SuperSport United |
14. | Sandile NYUNDU | TS Galaxy FC |
15. | Tshepo MYENI | Kaizer Chiefs |
16. | Ethan BROOKS | TS Galaxy |
17. | Rowan HUMAN | Maccabi Tel Aviv |
18. | Jayden ADAMS | Stellenbosch FC |
19. | Selaelo RASEBOTJA | SuperSport United |
20. | Keletso SIFAMA | Kaizer Chiefs |
21. | Oswin APPOLLIS | SuperSport United |
22. | Katlego TSOTETSI | Orlando Pirates |
23. | Rahim MILAZI | Kaizer Chiefs |
24. | Sechaba RAMOSEDI | TS Galaxy |
Forwards | ||
25. | Sinenjongo MKIVA | SuperSport United |
26. | Keenan BEZUIDENHOUT | SuperSport United |
27. | Lindokuhle ZUNGU | AmaZulu |
28. | Ndumiso XULU | TS Galaxy FC |