Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has congratulated the national U20 side, Amajita for their successful 2025 U20 Africa Cup Of Nations (AFCON) campaign in Egypt.
The new African champions touched down with their gold trophy and gold medals at the OR Tambo International Airport on Tuesday morning.
Not only did they win the AFCON, but they have also qualified for the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup to be hosted in Chile later in the year.
The team also dominated the individual awards at the continental showpiece with the Player of the Tournament (Tylon Smith) and Goalkeeper of the Tournament (Fletcher Smythe-Lowe) being Amajita players.
The team was welcomed by a spirited group of supporters and their families at the airport, along with Banyana Banyana head coach Dr Desiree Ellis, Broos and his assistant Helman Mkhalele among the welcome home party.
Broos, who has qualified Bafana for this year’s seniors AFCON, congratulated his Amajita counterpart Raymond Mdaka, saying that his leadership and tactical prowess was visible in the effort of the players on the field.
“First of all, I’d like to congratulate coach Raymond for the fantastic job he did in the last two, three weeks it was nice to see,” said Broos.
“I followed every game, and I have to congratulate you coach first of all for the motivation you did in that team. When you saw them playing, they were motivated they wanted to do a big result.
“I say congratulations for the tactic moves you had, for the fantastic mentality that showed on the field. I think you did a very great job to bring this trophy here to South Africa.”
Broos then also addressed the players, saying their AFCON triumph is just the first step and they must remain level-headed to make the most out their careers.
“I also have to congratulate the team, and you know guys, achieving the top is easy but staying on the top it’s so much more difficult,” he continued.
“Everything starts now for you. You are on a crossroad. If you take the right direction I’ll be seeing you back next year in Bafana Bafana in big stadiums here in South Africa, or maybe abroad.
“Or you can take the other way and that’s the wrong way. You’ve got every opportunity to have a nice life for the next 10, 12 years as a professional football player and believe me it’s the nicest profession you can imagine.
“But you still have to work very hard in the next months. I hope you guys take the right lifestyle this very important to achieve.”
