Latest news with #U20Afcon
The Herald
27-05-2025
- General
- The Herald
Amajita hero Kekana praises teamwork for goal that won SA the U-20 Afcon
Amajita's U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) final hero Gomolemo Kekana, 18, is in no rush to play top-flight football, insisting he's still developing. He said his focus is on trying to return to his best shape after a long layoff last year. Kekana is on the books of Mamelodi Sundowns' DStv Diski Challenge team and has trained with the senior Brazilians on a few occasions. He engraved his name in South African football folklore by scoring the goal that saw Amajita beat Morocco 1-0 in the U-20 Afcon final in Cairo this month. 'God's timing is forever perfect, so I won't rush the process,' Kekana said. 'I am trusting the process without putting pressure on myself to say now I must play for the first team. 'I will continue to work hard and it's up to the coaches to decide whether to promote me. I am not in a rush. I've come from a long-term injury last year, so my focus is to accumulate as many minutes as I can to return to my best shape.'
IOL News
22-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Tylon Smith has the attributes to be a really top-class defender, says Stellies coach Steve Barker
Amajita star defender Tylon Smith has earned the praise of his Stellenbosch FC club coach Steve Barker. Picture: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker believes Amajita star Tylon Smith has a 'really bright future ahead of him.' Smith was recently named Player of the Tournament at the Afcon U20 Championships in Egypt, where the central defender played a pivotal role in South Africa annexing their maiden continental U20 title. Amajita defeated Morocco 1-0 in the final, avenging the 1997 defeat to the North Africans. Smith, along with fellow Stellenbosch rookie Langelihle 'Major' Phili, were greeted with a hero's welcome by their fellow players at the club's annual awards banquet upon their return from Egypt this week. 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 ✕ Stellies right-winger Faiz Abrahams was also part of the SA U20 squad, but was not present at the awards. 'Obviously, I'm very proud of what the players have achieved at the U20 Afcon,' Barker said. 'All of the players, Faiz, Major (Phili) and Tylan really are doing not only the club proud, but also doing South Africa proud. 'So, really pleased with their contribution as we are with Monet Crumpton, the goalkeeper coach. Really, really well done to them.' The focus will, however, be on Smith after the defender's inspirational displays for Amajita, which also included a crucial goal in the semi-final victory over Nigeria. The 19-year-old has signed a professional contract with Stellies, but is yet to make his debut in the Betway Premiership. Stellenbosch FC coach Steve Barker is proud of his young charges in the Amajita squad. Picture: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix
The Herald
19-05-2025
- Sport
- The Herald
Mdaka credits PSL's Diski reserve league for Amajita's Afcon success
'Together we are stronger. It is nice to do my part but the real plaudits go to everyone, even the people behind the scenes; physios, doctors, fitness coaches and the players too. 'It's amazing what we've been able to do.' Amajita's first success in the U-20 Afcon came in their second final appearance, the first when coach Shakes Mashaba's generation of Benni McCarthy, Matthew Booth, Junaid Hartley and Stanton Fredericks lost 1-0 to hosts Morocco in the 1997 last game, 28 years ago. South Africa sealed their ticket to the U-20 World Cup, to be staged in Chile from September 27 to October 19, by reaching the semifinals. SowetanLIVE
IOL News
17-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
History beckons for Amajita with Under-20 Afcon title up for grabs against Morocco
Thabang Mahlangu Thabang Mahlangu (No 18, centre) celebrates scoring the winner for Amajita against DR Congo. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix South Africa's national under-20 team will face Morocco in the CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations final at the Cairo International Stadium on Sunday at 8pm, with the chance to lift the trophy for the first time. This will be the second meeting between the two nations in a final after Morocco edged South Africa 1-0 in 1997. That remains the only U20 Afcon title Morocco have ever won, while Amajita have yet to lift the crown – making this an opportunity 28 years in the making. The road to the final has been challenging after losing their opening match of the tournament, but the response has been gutsy under the guidance of head coach Raymond Mdaka. His young squad reached the decider after edging out fierce rivals Nigeria 1-0 in a tense semi-final clash in Ismailia on Thursday. That result confirmed their growth and determination, with Amajita showing composure and maturity against a Nigerian side many tipped for the title. 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 ✕ South Africa's youth team have now appeared in seven editions of the U20 Afcon, reaching five semi-finals but only two finals. In 1997, they settled for silver, and on Sunday, they will hope to go one better. Morocco come into this match boasting a solid defensive record. They have not conceded a goal in the knockout rounds, and will rely on a confident backline that has held firm throughout the tournament. Their tactical discipline and ability to capitalise on limited chances make them a dangerous opponent in a final. For Amajita, this is a golden opportunity for redemption. Their run to the final has included tough moments, but the character shown by Mdaka's men – especially against Nigeria – suggests they are peaking at the right time. And with continental pride on the line, the technical team will urge their players to believe they can change history. This fixture is not only about the title – it's also about global representation. South Africa are already one of four nations from the continent who will play in the Fifa Under-20 World Cup in Chile later this year, from September 27 to October 19. It's another major milestone, with the Amajita becoming the second SA national team to qualify for a junior World Cup in 2025. Earlier this year, the Under-17 side, Amajimbos, also booked their ticket to the Fifa Under-17 World Cup, which will take place in Qatar. For coach Mdaka, the final represents a reward for months of hard work and rebuilding at youth level. And for the players, many of whom are still relatively unknown in local football, Sunday's final is a chance to make their names resonate far beyond the borders of South Africa. The last time a South African men's team lifted a senior CAF trophy was in 1996. A year later, the Under-20s came close. In 2025, Amajita have the chance to finally finish what that generation started.
News24
15-05-2025
- Sport
- News24
Amajita into U20 Afcon final after close-fought win over Nigeria
South Africa are through to the final of the U20 Afcon tournament in Egypt after they beat Nigeria 1-0 in their semi-final clash on Thursday evening. In a closely fought contest, it was a goal from Tylon Smith in the 66th minute that secured the win for Amajita. And so it ends ....... We are off to the final!!!! — (@SAFA_net) May 15, 2025 Smith headed home from an acute angle on the right-hand post following a cross from deep. South Africa, who by reaching the semi-finals qualified for the 2025 U20 World Cup, will face either Egypt or Morocco in the final, which will take place on Sunday, 18 May at 20:00 (SA time).
