22 August 2024 – After a great run against Lesotho in two international friendly matches last week, the South African U17 Men’s National Team (Amajimbos) will now turn their attention to the FIFA Talent Development Scheme (TDS) 6 Nations Tournament to be held in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire from 2 -7 September 2024.
This tournament will be the fourth international activity of the national U17 side as they continue preparations for the COSAFA U17 Championships to be held in December 2024.
South Africa has been invited to the tournament as part of FIFA’s continuous contribution to Africa’s development under the Talent Development Scheme. The scheme is dedicated to fast-tracking players to develop internationally while giving every talent a chance.
Hosts Cote d’Ivoire, Algeria, Morocco, Tanzania and Zambia will also be part of the tournament, which will be played at Lycee Classique in Abidjan.
Head Coach Vela Khumalo spoke to www.safa.net ahead of naming his squad and said their participations would be crucial for the players.
“I am so grateful for the work that the South African Football Association (SAFA) is doing to prepare these young boys for the future. We have had a such a great time under the FIFA Talent Development Scheme, from hosting the U15 TDS Interprovincial Tournament in July 2023 to playing in Morocco, Colombia, Lesotho recently and now in this upcoming tournament,” said Khumalo.
“We are looking forward to a great tournament where our player will learn more about different opponents and a different culture.
“We have played both Cote d’Ivoire and Morocco before in the 3 Nations Tournament last year and will be looking forward to playing our neighbours Zambia, who are always a good opponent for us as South Africa.
“We are also looking forward to learning what the development structures of Algeria and Tanzania are because as much as we will be competing during the tournament, we are also going there to teach each other different things for the greater development of African football.”
Amajimbos will report for camp on Friday, 30 August 2024, and are expected to travel to Cote d’Ivoire on Sunday, 1 September 2024, ahead of the tournament kick-off on Tuesday, 3 September 2024. They are expected to return to South Africa on Sunday, 8 September 2024.
20 Men squad:
| Goalkeepers | |
| RADEBE Lwandiso | SuperSport United |
| HOLDEN Luke | Mamelodi Sundowns |
| MOSIA Lehlohonolo | AmaTuks |
| Defenders | |
| PAMA Sive | Cape Town City |
| MOKOKOSI Bokamoso | Kaizer Chiefs |
| BOOYSEN Hayden | Ubuntu Football Academy |
| MCHUNU Ziyanda | Kaizer Chiefs |
| LETSHILO Bokang | Mamelodi Sundowns |
| MZIMELA Khayalethu | British Football Academy |
| MIDFIELDERS | |
| MGOQI Anovuyo | Cape Town City |
| MARALETSE Kamohelo | Mamelodi Sundowns |
| MLANGENI Teboho | Augusto Palacios Academy |
| STEVENS Selwyn | Mamelodi Sundowns |
| DHLAMINI Lebogang | Kaizer Chiefs |
| ATTACKERS | |
| WITBOOI Emile | Cape Town City |
| LONZI Sivuziwe | Ubuntu Football Academy |
| BOHLOKO Neo | Kaizer Chiefs |
| MHLONGO Obama | AmaZulu FC |
| SEKGOTO Omphemetse | Mamelodi Sundowns |
| MAZIBUKO Ntando | TS Galaxy FC |
