Amajita, South Africa's national Under-20 soccer team, are on the brink of making history at the Under-20 FIFA World Cup! After a captivating journey, Raymond Mdaka's squad is set to face Colombia in the Round of 16, with a quarter-final spot within reach.
From AFCON Champions to World Cup Hopefuls
The team's path to the World Cup was paved with success, highlighted by their victory at the U20 AFCON, where they triumphed over Morocco with a 1-0 win. Gomolemo Kekana, the Mamelodi Sundowns starlet, secured the winning goal, crowning Amajita as African champions for the first time.
At the World Cup, Amajita faced initial setbacks with a narrow 2-1 defeat against France. However, they bounced back with an impressive 5-0 victory over New Caledonia. Siviwe Nkwali, Shakeel April, and Lazola Maku all found the net, with Siviwe Magidigidi scoring twice. This victory fuelled their confidence, leading to a hard-fought 2-1 win against the USA, securing their place in the Round of 16.
Bafana Bafana's Future is Bright
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has praised Amajita's performance, highlighting their potential to become the cornerstone of South African football. Broos acknowledged their impressive run since winning the AFCON and emphasized their importance for the future of South African soccer. While impressed with players like Tylon Smith, Broos is cautious about rushing them into the Bafana Bafana squad for the upcoming AFCON in December, preferring they focus on the World Cup.
The match against Colombia is scheduled for Wednesday, October 8th. A victory would mark a historic achievement for South African football, making Amajita the first South African national team (male or female) to reach a quarter-final in a global showpiece since 2009. The entire nation is behind Amajita as they aim to write their names in the history books!