26 February 2021 –The South African U17 Men’s National Team (Amajimbos) have reported for camp at the SAFA National Technical Centre in Johannesburg to complete their preparations for the 2021 TOTAL U-17 AFCON scheduled for Morocco next month.
Amajimbos have been drawn into group C of the tournament together with West African opponents Cameroon, Senegal and Mali, and will be looking to sharpen up before leaving for Casablanca, Morocco next week.
Head Coach Vela Khumalo has called up 26 players to form the provisional squad and will be looking for the best 21 players who will represent South Africa in the continental showpiece from 13 – 31 March 2021.
“We have called up 26 players for our final preparations because we anticipate a few challenges this coming week. The players will be put to the test and only the best will make the final cut,” said Khumalo.
“We will be having vigorous training sessions and will need the players to be mentally and physically strong as we prepare to go to war against very tough opponents at the AFCON.
‘’Therefore, we do anticipate some hiccups in the camp such as injuries, fear of the unknown and the fact that some players may be forced to focus on their school work,” continued Khumalo.
The entire team delegation has had to get COVID-19 tests prior to reporting for camp. This coming weekend will be spent on players doing their Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) tests; which are used to register players for such tournaments. They will also have blood and Electrocardiogram (ECG) tests conducted. Then on arrival in Morocco will have to retest for COVID -19.
26-man provisional squad:
GOALKEEPERS:
- Enrique ERASMUS Stars of Africa (Gauteng)
- Callum THOMPSON KZN Academy (KwaZulu Natal)
- Deejan AH SHENE Ubuntu FC (Western Cape)
- Tyrique SIMONS SuperSport United (Gauteng)
DEFENDERS - Akhanyile NORAWANA School of Excellence (Gauteng)
- Siyabonga GUMEDE School of Excellence (Gauteng)
- Simthandile SISHI Stars of Africa (Gauteng)
- Puso DITHEJANE School of Excellence (Gauteng)
- Lyema DIPOLO Supersport United (Gauteng)
- Abram MASHELE Supersport United (Gauteng)
MIDFIELDERS: - Lindokuhle MBUTHO Highlands Park (Gauteng)
- Kabelo KGOSITLILE Baroka (Limpopo)
- Yamkela PHALANE AmaZulu (KwaZulu Natal)
- Luciano JONAS Unattached (formerly with Bidvest Wits)
- Siphesihle TATI Kaizer Chiefs (Gauteng)
- Mduduzi SHABALALA Kaizer Chiefs (Gauteng)
- Ntandoyenkosi NKOSI Kaizer Chiefs (Gauteng)
- Luphumlo SIFUMBA Cape Town City (Western Cape)
- Thato SEKGOLELA Mokwebo Academy (Limpopo)
- Unathi RADEBE Cape Town Spurs (Western Cape)
- Olebogeng MOTLHOLWA Mamelodi Sundowns (Gauteng)
FORWARDS: - Keaviano FRANCIS School of Excellence (Gauteng)
- Sanele SKOSANA AP Apprentice Academy (Gauteng)
- Mikhenso MBIGA TS Galaxy (Mpumalanga)
- Thabang MAHLANGU SuperSport United (Gauteng)
- Njabulo HLONGWANE Kaizer Chiefs (Gauteng)