Latest news with #AfricaYouthChampionship
IOL News
20-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Victorious Amajita return home to a rapturous welcome
Amajita made history on Sunday by becoming the first South African U20 side to win the Africa Youth Championship, following a triumphant campaign in Egypt. Image: CAF Image Mihlali Baleka Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi proudly wrapped Amajita captain Patrick Autata in the South African flag as the victorious Under-20 men's national football team returned home to a rapturous welcome on Monday morning. Amajita made history on Sunday by becoming the first South African U20 side to win the Africa Youth Championship, following a triumphant campaign in Egypt. Their arrival at OR Tambo International Airport brought the international arrivals precinct to a virtual standstill, as fans, families, and football enthusiasts gathered to welcome the champions. Chanting and singing filled the terminal as South Africans celebrated the team's remarkable achievement. Autata, who held the trophy aloft before the cheering crowd, was honoured by Lesufi with the symbolic gesture of being cloaked in the national flag — a powerful moment of pride for both the player and the country. Joining Lesufi on stage during the official press conference in the airport's auditorium were several high-profile dignitaries, including South African Football Association (Safa) president Danny Jordaan and Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos. Although Broos appeared somewhat distracted during proceedings, he offered praise for Amajita coach Raymond Mdaka and his team, delivering a strong message to the young players: 'You know, guys, achieving the top is easy, but staying at the top is much more difficult. Everything starts now for you. You are at a crossroads. 'Take the right direction, and I'll see you next month or next year at Bafana Bafana, or with a big team locally or abroad. Take the wrong way, and… well, it's up to you. 'You've got every opportunity to enjoy a good life for the next 10–12 years as a professional footballer — and believe me, it's the nicest profession you can imagine. But you must work hard, and having the right lifestyle is crucial. 'I hope to welcome some of you at Bafana next month. Again, congratulations to the coach and the guys!' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Broos' comments reflected a commitment to monitoring the progress of the young champions, potentially fast-tracking some into the senior national setup. However, the pressing question of player bonuses loomed large during the media event, especially given Safa's widely reported financial challenges. Asked how the federation plans to reward the team, Jordaan was vague: 'We have not (yet) received any money from CAF. When we have the money, we will decide,' he said, referring to the expected prize money of approximately R3.6 million. Jordaan downplayed concerns about Safa's financial health, adding that the organisation had never failed to cover the basic costs for national teams, including flights, accommodation, and allowances during international duties. One corporate sponsor, however, stepped up. Safa's mobile phone partner, Honor, pledged to reward each player with smartphones and earphones in recognition of their continental success. Coach Mdaka, visibly emotional during the occasion, congratulated his players and technical team for overcoming numerous challenges en route to their historic triumph. 'It wasn't easy, but the players gave everything. I'm proud of how far we've come,' he said. With a place at the Fifa Under-20 World Cup now secured, Mdaka and his team will be hoping for continued backing from SAFA to ensure thorough preparation — especially after receiving such a heartfelt heroes' welcome.
IOL News
15-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
SA's Amajita hope to fly against Nigeria's Eagles in Afcon U20 semi-final
Thabang Mahlangu Thabang Mahlangu (No 18, centre) celebrates scoring the winner for Amajita against DR Congo. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix The South African Under-20 men's national team have covered the hard yards in the ongoing Africa Youth Championship after reaching the semi-finals to qualify for the World Cup. Amajita beat the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) 1-0 in extra time of the quarter-final at Suez Canal Authority Stadium on Monday night. That result, courtesy of a goal from Thabang Mahlangu, meant that Amajita will return to the global showpiece in Chile later this year for the first time since 2017. Amajita have coach Raymond Mdaka and his technical team to thank for their preparations, having also won the Cosafa Championship to qualify for Afcon, which is held in Egypt. However, while most of the job is done, the current crop of players will be eager to follow in the footsteps of the Class of '97, which reached the Afcon final. That won't be easy, though, as they'll have to get past Nigeria in the semi-final at Canal Authority Stadium on Thursday afternoon (5pm kick-off). But having their main objective been granted to date, defender Siviwe Nkwali hopes that the football gods will smile on them once again in the semis. 'I am so happy... This is what we wanted as the guys,' Nkwali told SABC Sport after the win over DRC. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ 'This was our main objective. So, now that we have achieved it, we are very grateful to the Almighty. 'We hope that He can guide us to the final now. That's all that's left.' The Flying Eagles are the most successful team at Afcon after winning seven titles and finishing as runners-up twice. So, that's why a win for Amajita wouldn't only give them a huge morale-booster ahead of the final, but for the main event in South America as well. Yeeeeesss! We are going to the semi-finals of the U20 AFCON in Egypt, and we have qualified for the U20 FIFA World Cup in Chile in September 2025!!! — (@SAFA_net) May 12, 2025 With Nigeria set to pose a physical challenge like the DRC, Nkwali, who was relieved with the way his troops defended on Monday, will hope that they adopt the same approach on Thursday. 'It was a very physical game. The DRC team is made up of big players. But we manage to defend well in set-pieces,' Nkwali said. 'They were strong on the set-pieces as well. 'But we managed to contain them because we didn't concede, and we got a late goal in extra time.'
