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Safa announces 34-strong Amajimbos preliminary squad

By Ongama Gcwabe , in Football | Featured Football | News , at 2024-08-02 Tags: ,

With the 2024 u17 Cosafa Championship scheduled for December, a little over three months away, the South African Football Association (Safa) is ramping up the South Africa u17 team’s preparations for the showpiece event.

The side, fondly known as “Amajimbos“, is set to travel to Lesotho later this month for two international friendly matches against the Likuena of Lesotho on 16 and 18 August.

The fixtures will serve to build the South Africans’ international experience, camaraderie, form and general team ahead of the Cosafa Championships.

Before that, the Amajimbos will further bolster their international resume in the Six Nations Talent Development Scheme (TDS) tournament, which takes place in in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, from 2 to 8 September.

“Our junior teams have to continuously be active for us to become a powerhouse when we compete in the Caf u17 Afcon and junior World Cups,” Walter Steenkamp, the Safa Technical Director told safa.net.

“Our TDS program has been very clear from day one, and we intend on ensuring that we produce a quality u17 national team that will participate in the next Fifa u17 World Cup, a team that has adequate international experience.

“As things stand, our players have at least five to six international caps to date, and these two camps will provide them with an opportunity to add to the experience they already have.

“Under the TDS programme, we have already had player camps, played in a Three Nations tournament in Morocco, also played two international friendly matches against Colombia, and will now play against Lesotho and five other African countries in Ivory Coast,” he added.

Running an eye over the 34-player squad, it is refreshing to note that Safa has looked beyond South Africa’s shores to also include South African talent that is being groomed abroad.

SQUAD

Sive Pama (Cape Town City, RSA)
Bokang Leshilo (Mamelodi Sundowns, RSA)
Kamohelo Mareletse (Unattached, RSA)
Lwandiso Radebe (Supersport United, RSA)
Steven Mendes (Kaizer Chiefs, RSA)
Lehlohonolo Mosia (University of Pretoria, RSA)
Ethan Garcia (Joburg City, RSA)
Neo Bohloko (Kaizer Chiefs, RSA)
Luke Holden (Mamelodi Sundowns, RSA)
Ziyanda Mchunu (Kaizer Chiefs, RSA)
Selwyn Stevens (Mamelodi Sundowns, RSA)
Karabo Modika (Mamelodi Sundowns, RSA)
Adriano Adams (Cape Town Spurs, RSA)
Rocco Rocha (Amazulu, RSA)
Thabiso Maya (Mighty Spurs, RSA)
Thabang Mphanya (TS Galaxy, RSA)
Hayden Booysen (Ubuntu FC, RSA)
Anovuyo Mcoqi (Cape Town City, RSA)
Emile Witbooi (Cape Town City, RSA)
Samuel Salminen (Käpylän Pallo, Finland)
Ray Morton (K.A.A Gent, Belgium)
Ezio Panellati (Estoril, Portugal)
Khai Vally (Fulham, England)
Simanga Pedersen (Frederica Academy, USA)
Anando Petit (BV04 Dusseldorf, Germany)
Musa Heitakangas (FC Honka Youth, Finland)
Paulo Da Silva (University of Pretoria, RSA)
Obama Mhlongo (Amazulu, RSA)
Sivuziwe Lonzi (Ubuntu FC, RSA)
Ayanda Madondo (KZN Academy, RSA)
Abulele Dlekedla (Cape Town City, RSA)
Mashudu Tshiovhe (Ramantsha Blackpool, RSA)
Bokamoso Mokokosi (Kaizer Chiefs, RSA)
Khayalethu Mzimela (British Football Academy, RSA)

error: Sorry ol' chap, those shenanigans are not permissible.