Amajita leave for AFCON without key players

JOHANNESBURG – The South African U20 men’s national team travels to Egypt tonight for the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Amajita will travel without key players who have not been released by their clubs.

“Siyabonga Mabena is injured, and he was one of the key players. Mbekezeli Mbokazi is one of the key players, and we started every program with him – we thought we’d have him, but unfortunately, we won’t have him,” said national team coach Raymond Mdaka

AFCON kicks off on Sunday, 27 April until May 18, with 13 nations battling it out for continental glory.

The South Africans have been drawn in Group A against hosts Egypt, Zambia, Sierra Leone and Tanzania.

“Regarding Asekho Tiwani, the captain, we discussed with Mamelodi Sundowns and made arrangements. Tiwani will be left in Egypt (they play against Al Ahly in Cairo in the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League). We have Neo Rapoo also, we’re in constant discussions with the teams just to see how best we can help each other. SuperSport are playing a crucial match, you see their position, so we allowed him to play and then join us in Egypt,” said Mdaka.

South Africa opens its AFCON campaign against hosts Egypt at the Cairo International Stadium on Sunday.
 
The semifinalists in this tournament will qualify for the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile later this year.

Amajita fixtures
Sunday: Egypt v SA, Cairo, 8pm
April 30: SA v Tanzania, Suez Canal (5pm)
May 6: Sierra Leone v SA, Suez Canal (5pm)