South Africa’s Men’s Under-20 national team, Amajita, will kick off their FIFA U-20 World Cup campaign in Chile on Monday, with hopes of inspiring the senior Bafana Bafana squad to follow in their footsteps.
Amajita have steadily built a reputation on the global stage, having first qualified for the 2019 tournament in Poland. While they finished bottom of Group F, which included eventual finalists South Korea and early favourites Portugal, several players gained valuable experience. Thabiso Monyane, Thabo Moloisane, and Oswin Appollis have since become first-team regulars at their clubs and have earned opportunities with Bafana Bafana.
The U-20 team faces high expectations as they look to help the senior national team qualify for the World Cup—a feat last achieved in 2002.
Despite their progress, Amajita have faced numerous challenges. Preparation for the Africa Youth Championship in Egypt was hampered by inadequate facilities at SAFA’s technical centre, Fun Valley, where the team reportedly went without running water for days. Nonetheless, they won South Africa’s first-ever junior AFCON title, even without key player Asekho Tiwani due to injury.
Coach Raymond Mdaka has led the team with dedication, reportedly earning around R25,000 per month. Questions remain over whether SAFA, under president Danny Jordaan, will provide bonuses for the team’s success. Inadequate support has extended to World Cup preparations, with the team unable to play any friendly matches prior to the tournament.
Amajita’s schedule in Chile presents additional challenges. With a five-hour time difference, the second group match against New Caledonia will kick off at 1am South African time, while the opening and final group games against France and the USA are scheduled for 10pm.
Despite these hurdles, Mdaka’s team remains focused on breaking barriers and showcasing South African football on the world stage. The tournament could also serve as a career-defining moment for several players, attracting attention from senior national team coach Hugo Broos, who is scouting talent for Bafana Bafana’s upcoming AFCON campaign in Morocco.
Supporters are encouraged to rally behind Amajita as they strive for success in Chile.
