Kaizer Chiefs youngster Mfundo Vilakazi goes through his paces during SA Under-20 training in Johannesburg. BackpagePix
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The next generation of South African football talent will be tested on the continental stage later this month as Amajita head to Egypt for the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), with Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates youngsters at the heart of Raymond Mdaka’s squad.
Kaizer Chiefs’ highly regarded Mfundo Vilakazi and Orlando Pirates’ breakout star Mbekezeli Mbokazi headline the 21-man final squad announced by Mdaka this week, along with four additional standby players.
The tournament, which kicks off on April 26 and runs through to May 18, serves as the qualifying pathway to the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile later this year, with only the top-four sides securing tickets.
Placed in a difficult Group B, South Africa will battle it out with hosts Egypt, Morocco, and perennial powerhouses Nigeria in what is arguably the tournament’s toughest pool.
Despite some key absentees, Mdaka has opted for a balanced squad, combining experience from last year’s COSAFA Cup-winning team with new faces who’ve been turning heads in domestic football.
The major omissions are Shandre Campbell, who remains with Belgian giants Club Brugge due to first-team commitments, and Mamelodi Sundowns prodigy Siyabonga Mabena, ruled out through injury.
“The list consists of the core of the team, the players we had since our preparations, through to COSAFA,” Mdaka told SAFA media.
“We also have players who we did not have in Mozambique, the likes of Mfundo, Asekho (Tiwani), Langelihle (Phili), Siviwe Nkwali. Minus in the team is Shandre, whose team have cited issues of him being in the first team, also issues of the Championship.
“Also minus in the team is Mabena, the Sundowns player who has since got injured. We also have included four players, as the rule requires for any situation that would need a replacement.”
While Vilakazi has long been spoken about as a future first-team regular at Naturena, it’s Mbokazi’s rapid rise that has drawn recent attention.
The 19-year-old Buccaneers defender has only played seven matches for Jose Riveiro’s side across all competitions, yet has already scooped three Player of the Match awards and shown his pedigree in the CAF Champions League. His inclusion adds steel and presence to Amajita’s backline.
Portuguese-based goalkeeper Fletcher Lowe-Smythe returns to the fold after missing last month’s training camp but was a standout performer during the COSAFA Cup campaign.
The composition of the squad also underlines the strength of the DStv Diski Challenge, with four players selected from log leaders Chiefs.
Three players each hail from Mamelodi Sundowns, SuperSport United, Stellenbosch FC, and Cape Town City—clubs whose youth departments continue to churn out promising talent.
With the likes of Tiwani, Phili and Nkwali joining Vilakazi and Mbokazi in the lineup, Mdaka has options across the park.
Amajita might not enter AFCON as favourites, but they carry the momentum of regional success, and with the mix of flair, grit, and youthful ambition, they may well prove to be one of the dark horses in Egypt.
Kaizer Chiefs youngster Mfundo Vilakazi goes through his paces during SA Under-20 training in Johannesburg yesterday. Photo: BackpagePix
Image: Backpages
