Latest news with #FIFAU20WorldCup
TimesLIVE
5 days ago
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
‘I don't have anything against Chiefs': Broos on absence of Amakhosi players in Bafana squad
You would have expected a few Kaizer Chiefs players to have made Hugo Broos's squad for next month's friendlies against Tanzania and Mozambique, but the Bafana Bafana coach explained he was not impressed with Amakhosi's performance in the 2024-25 season. Chiefs failed to finish in the top eighth for the second successive season, ending in ninth as the Betway Premiership concluded on the weekend. But with Nasreddine Nabi having ended Chiefs' 10-year drought by capturing the Nedbank Cup, Broos was asked if that was not enough give him confidence in some Chiefs players for the friendlies against Tanzania at Peter Mokaba Stadium on June 6 and Mozambique at Loftus Versfeld on June 10. The coach's 23-man squad named on Thursday included a number of fringe players in need of game time and new names as the coach cast his net wider for these games to widen his talent pool. It contained nine players from Orlando Pirates and many players from clubs like AmaZulu, Chippa United, Sekhukhune United and Richards Bay selected for the first time. Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos says he declined a friendly match with Morocco in order to protect his young squad. #SABCSportFootball — SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) May 29, 2025 'For the moment I think I can't select the players of Kaizer Chiefs,' Broos said. 'I hope they produce a better season next year. 'OK, they won the cup, but I think that was the only highlight in the season for Chiefs. All the rest was not so good. 'Ja, OK the supporters are happy now because they won the cup, but we have to be honest. And I don't have anything against Chiefs. I have to be honest in my choices. 'Most of the time it was not that good with Chiefs — otherwise a team like Chiefs [would not be] No 9 in the ranking. They [should be] No 3, No 2 or No 1. 'But it's up to them that they produce good performances next year and they play like I expect from the top team like Chiefs. There will be players [from Chiefs] in [Bafana], you have to be afraid.' Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has confirmed Amajita number-one goalkeeper Fletcher Smyth-Lowe is definitely on his radar and will be drafted into the senior squad after the FIFA U20 World Cup later this year. 🔗 #SABCSportFootball — SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) May 29, 2025 South African football has enjoyed a strong 2025 with the South African Under-17 and U-20 sides qualifying for their age World Cups. Amajita were crowned as U-20 African champions, beating Morocco in the final two weeks ago. Broos warned for South Africa to maintain its standard young players must not be lost in the system after those successes. 'I think we're on the crossroads for the moment because now we have to react as a football federation,' the Belgian said. 'If we're happy now and just happy, I can assure you in two or three years you won't find anything any more of what we have now. 'You have to work very hard now and have a follow-up — not like in the past when there was a qualification for Afcon then after Afcon the U-20 and U-17 players disappeared and you didn't see them any more. 'Helman [Mkhalele, Broos' assistant] told me last week he was with the U-19s in 2019 at the World Cup but look how many players from that team you'll find now. They disappeared. 'You have U-19s and U-20s who will normally graduate to U-23, and Bafana after that. But you have to follow them up now.' Pirates' young trio of defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi, 19; midfielder Simphiwe Selepe, 20; and striker Mohau Nkota, 20; Ashley Cupido of Stellenbosch FC, Tshepang Moremi (AmaZulu) and Yanela Mbuthuma of Richards Bay are some of the new faces in Broos's squad No Mamelodi Sundowns players were included as they will start preparations for their appearance at the expanded Fifa Club World Cup in the US in June and July.
The South African
22-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Former TD hits out at SAFA: Mdaka doesn't earn more than R25k
Former South African Football Association (SAFA) Technical Director Walter Steenbok has hit out at the organisation. Steenbok, who resigned from his position in March, said he left the position due to a lack of support from the SAFA hierarchy. In an interview with Andile Ncube on Metro FM on Thursday, Steenbok lifted a lid on Amajita coach Raymond Mdaka's salary. Steenbok confidently revealed that Mdaka, who is on a one-year contract with SAFA, is not even earning more than R25 000. Mdaka recently steered Amajita (SA U20) to their first ever Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON U20) triumph. The former Marumo Gallants mentor is expected to lead Amajita at the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile between 27 September and 19 October. South Africa's U20 national team, Amajita, made football history by securing their first-ever CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations title. Image: X @CAF_Online 'Coach Raymond Mdaka doesn't earn more than R25 000, and he's on a one-year contract,' revealed Steenbok. 'Put him on the line… we fought for two years to get coach Raymond the contract. You can call coach Raymond… ask coach Raymond. 'So, what I'm trying to put up here is that the lack of respect for black professionals and the lack of respect for our own self is unbelievable.' 'We don't respect black excellence, we don't respect black professionals, and it's in the open, and I can give you evidence. Evidence, I have in abundance that I keep all the time,' added Steenbok. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
21-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Amajita star flirts with boyhood club Kaizer Chiefs
Fletcher Hani Lowe of South Africa during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations U20 Final Trophy Photocall for South Africa at 30 June Stadium in Cairo on 18 May 2025 ©Weam Mostafa/BackpagePix South Africa U20 (Amajita) star goalkeeper Fletcher Smythe-Löwe has revealed that he actually grew up supporting Kaizer Chiefs. Speaking to the media at OR Tambo, Löwe admitted that he would not mind returning to South Africa to play for one of the big teams. However, he is in no rush to make that decision as he's only 18, and his focus is on the upcoming FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile. Löwe is currently based in Portugal; the country he moved to together with his parents five years ago – he's currently on the books of Estoril Praia's Under-19 squad. Prior to his departure to Portugal in 2020, Löwe said he was playing for Ubuntu FC in Cape Town but never really thought about making football a career. South Africa's U20 national team, Amajita, made football history by securing their first-ever CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations title. Image: X @CAF_Online AMAJITA 'KEEPER SMYTHE-LÖWE GREW UP SUPPORTING KAIZER CHIEFS 'I supported Chiefs when I was younger and it's a possibility in the future [to play for them],' said Smythe-Löwe as per Sowetan. 'Now for me is to go back to home in Portugal and rest for a week or two. It's always a possibility [to join big clubs] but I am only 18. 'So, I have time to work hard and see where the future takes me. It's very important for me to work hard, stay humble because I want to play in the World Cup. 'I left SA during the 2020 [Covid-19] pandemic when my mom had a sabbatical, so we decided to go there [Portugal] for a year and see if it'd work for us because we had been there in the past. I was playing for Ubuntu in Cape Town [before leaving SA].' 'To be honest, when I left, I wasn't thinking about professional football… I was just thinking about what's best for me and my family and then obviously, if you put in the work, opportunities come. I didn't really have this [playing professional football] in mind,' he concluded. WOULD SMYTHE-LÖWE FIT IN AT AMAKHOSI? Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
![Amajita win their first U20 AFCON title [video]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thesouthafrican.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F05%2FGrQW2K7XwAEKsoB-1.jpeg.optimal.jpeg&w=3840&q=100)
The South African
19-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Amajita win their first U20 AFCON title [video]
Watch the full version of the ' South Africa's Amajita's stun Morocco to win first ever U20 AFCON title' article – in a minute. South Africa's U20 national team, Amajita, made football history on Sunday night by securing their first-ever CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations title, defeating Morocco 1-0 in a tense and tactical final at the Cairo International Stadium This long-awaited triumph came 28 years after South Africa's last appearance in the final, which also featured Morocco – and ended in defeat. This time, however, the script was flipped as coach Raymond Mdaka's side claimed glory in dramatic fashion. With their victory, Amajita sent a powerful message to the continent: South Africa's youth football has arrived. From defensive discipline to explosive attacking moments, this generation has shown it can compete – and win – on Africa's biggest stage. The focus now shifts to the FIFA U20 World Cup, where South Africa will aim to carry their continental momentum to the global arena. Looking for quick updates? Watch News in a Minute videos on The South African's YouTube page for all the key stories you need to know! Catch all the latest videos on news, lifestyle, travel, sports and more – there's always something to watch! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and BlueSky to stay connected and get your news on the go!
The South African
19-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
South Africa's Amajita's stun Morocco to win first ever U20 AFCON title
South Africa's U20 national team, Amajita, made football history on Sunday night by securing their first-ever CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations title, defeating Morocco 1-0 in a tense and tactical final at the Cairo International Stadium. This long-awaited triumph came 28 years after South Africa's last appearance in the final, which also featured Morocco – and ended in defeat. This time, however, the script was flipped as coach Raymond Mdaka's side claimed glory in dramatic fashion. Both teams arrived in the final with impressive unbeaten runs through the knockout stages, setting the stage for a closely contested showdown. The match was defined by disciplined defending, superb goalkeeping, and high tactical intensity. The breakthrough came in the 70th minute, when South African goalkeeper Fletcher Smythe-Lowe launched a long pass that ignited a swift counterattack. Shandre Campbell timed his run to perfection, delivering a pinpoint assist to Thulani Kekana, who calmly slotted the ball into the net. Though the assistant referee initially flagged for offside, a VAR review confirmed the goal, igniting celebrations among the players, staff, and fans. Heroics between the posts Smythe-Lowe delivered a man-of-the-match performance, producing key saves to deny Moroccan forwards Mouad Dahak and Jones El Abdellaoui. In the dying moments, Morocco threw everything forward, but South Africa's backline held firm. Morocco's best chance to equalise came in the 83rd minute, when Othmane Maamma missed a clear opportunity in front of goal. Moments later, Shakeel April nearly doubled South Africa's lead, only to be denied by the Moroccan goalkeeper. South Africa's journey to the title was filled with grit and resilience. After losing their tournament opener to hosts Egypt, Amajita bounced back with wins over Tanzania and Sierra Leone, before eliminating DR Congo and Nigeria in the knockout rounds. 'This is not just a win – it's a turning point for South African football,' said coach Mdaka. 'These young men showed character, hunger, and belief. The future is bright.' Earlier in the evening, Nigeria beat hosts Egypt 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw to secure third place. With their victory, Amajita sent a powerful message to the continent: South Africa's youth football has arrived. From defensive discipline to explosive attacking moments, this generation has shown it can compete – and win – on Africa's biggest stage. The focus now shifts to the FIFA U20 World Cup, where South Africa will aim to carry their continental momentum to the global arena. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
