The South African U20 coach Thabo Senong has called up 31 players to begin preparations for the upcoming U20 Africa Cup of Nations including star forwards Luther Singh and Phakamani Mahlambi in his plans.
The tournament will be held in Lusaka and Ndola, Zambia from 26 February to 12 March 2017.
The players will report for a two-week training camp on Thursday, 26 January 2017 where they will begin their preparations.
‘This is going to be an intensive camp, as it is our first phase of preparations for the year. The technical team and I have already begun with our strategies for our group in the U20 AFCON.
‘We intend to have a few international friendly matches before we begin the tournament, and we are glad to have secured our first international friendly against Zambia. We will be using this friendly to build on the momentum of the last year, but mainly to adapt to the climate of Ndola,’ said Senong.
Amajita will be looking for a confidence booster and revenge when they face Zambia on Wednesday, 8 February 2017 following their 2-1 loss to the same opponents in the 2016 U20 COSAFA Cup final.
The match will be played at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, in Ndola and kick-off is scheduled for 20:00.
Group A will see hosts Zambia play against Egypt, Mali and Guinea, while South Africa has been drawn in group B alongside Senegal, Sudan and Cameroon. The semi-finalists of the 20th edition of the U20 AFCON will qualify for the 2017 U20 World Cup to be played in South Korea from 20 May – 11 June 2017.
Amajita squad:
Goalkeepers: Sanele Tshabalala (Bidvest Wits), Darren Johnson (Ajax Cape Town), Mondli Mpoto (Supersport United)
Defenders: Aghmat Ceres (Ajax Cape Town), Sirgio Kammies (Ajax Cape Town), Reeve Frosler (Wits), Notha Ngcobo (Mamelodi Sundowns), Malebogo Modise (Sundowns), Katleho Mohamme (Supersport), Givemore Khupe (Wits), Shane Saralina (Ajax Cape Town), Siyabonga Ngezana (Kaizer Chiefs), Tercios Malepe (Orlando Pirates)
Midfielders: Thabo Cele (Real Sporting Clubbe – Portugal), Wiseman Meyiwa (Chiefs), Sipho Mbule (Supersport), Thabani Zuke (Golden Arrows ), Teboho Mokoena (Supersport), Katlego Ntshabeleng (University Of Johannesburg), Sydney Mtshweni (Supersport), Duncan Apollis (Cape Town City), Nkosingiphile Ngcobo (Chiefs), Sibongakonke Mbatha (Wits), Kobamelo Kodisang (Platinum Stars)
Strikers: Luther Singh, Liam Jordan (Sporting Lisbon), Luyanda Ntshangase (Maritzburg United), Menzi Ndwandwe (Amazulu), Itumeleng Shopane (Chiefs), Khanyisa Mayo (Supersport), Phakamani Mahlambi (Wits)
