Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns youngsters dominate the 34-man Amajimbos side set to face Lesotho in two international friendly matches on 16 and 18 August 2024.
The South African U17 Men’s National Team has four Amakhosi talents in the squad in Steven ‘Stevie G’ Mendes, Neo Bohloko, Bokamoso Mokokosi and Ziyanda Mchunu, while Sundowns have the likes of Bokang Leshilo, Luke Holden, Karabo Modika and Selvyn Stevens.
The other notable inclusion is that of Cape Town City’s 15-year-old teenage sensation Emile Witbooi, son of Bradley Ralani, who has been training with Eric Tinkler’s first team and is touted to play a pivotal part when the 2024/25 Betway Premiership gets underway.
Amajimbos are eager to be fully-flexed for a hectic schedule that includes the Six Nations Talent Development Scheme (TDS) tournament which will be eld in Abidjan, Ivory Coast from 2-8 September 2024, as well as the 2024 U17 COSAFA Championships later this year.
“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,” SAFA Technical Director Walter Steenbok affirmed.
“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 onto 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,” added Steenbok.
Here’s the full Amajimbos squad:
