It has not been more than a week since Amajita were crowned as the Under-20 African champions, the young South Africans already have their sights set on the Fifa World Cup in Chile later this year.
Amajita are among the four African teams that booked their ticket to the global showpiece in September by reaching the semifinals of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon). They did so alongside Nigeria, Morocco, and Egypt.
It didn’t end there, coach Raymond Mdaka and his troops put the cherry on top by defying all the odds stacked against them when they went on to make history and deliver the first Under-20 Afcon cup in the trophy cabinet at Safa House, the headquarters of the SA Football Association.
They defeated Morocco 1-0 last Sunday in what was South Africa’s first final in 28 years.
Now, just like Bafana Bafana mentor Hugo Broos said, getting to the top may have been hard for Amajita, but staying there will be harder as the entire continent and world will pay them attention on the road to Chile.
Sunday World takes a look at some of the key aspects Amajita will focus on building up to the World Cup in September.
Key players that Mdaka will look forward to their return:
From being taken from pillar to post by some clubs about the release of key players, to issues of player registration and losing his captain through injury, Mdaka took the challenges to the chest and went on to succeed in the end.
Going into the World Cup, having the likes of Mbekezeli “TLB” Mbokazi (Orlando Pirates), Shandre Campbell (Club Brugge), Siyabonga Mabena (Mamelodi Sundowns), and Asekho Tiwani (Sundowns) back and fully fit will serve as a massive boost to Mdaka’s squad
Top-ranked opponents Amajita may be pitted against:
The Afcon semi-finalists sealed and completed the list of 24 teams that have qualified for the World Cup.
The likes of Brazil, Spain, Argentina, USA, Japan, and Australia will be some of the teams who will be star-studded and worth looking out for.
However, with reigning champions Uruguay not in the competition, like every other nation, Amajita will be fancying their chances of lifting the trophy.
Some big-name Europe-based players to look out for:
As talented as Amajita may be, it goes without saying that they will be up against some of the most exciting and rising global stars who ply their trade at some of the biggest clubs in the world.
Even though they may not feature in the competition, as they are now full internationals, the names of the Barcelona duo, Pau Cubarsi and Lamine Yamal, come to mind.
French international Warren Zaire-Emery of PSG, Brazil’s Estevao Willian, and Real Madrid’s Endrick, to name but a few, are some of the big-name teenagers and quality that Amajita could be facing at the biggest stage.
Players who will likely challenge for a spot in the team:
One can imagine how many players, locally and internationally, will be hoping to impress and get the attention of the coaches in the next three months or so.
The likes of now relegated Cape Town Spurs’ Luke Baartman and Mabena, who has been out for the entire season through injury, will surely be banging on Mdaka’s door, fighting for a place in the final squad.
