Amajita coach Thabo Senong has named Bidvest Wits star Phakamani Mahlambi in his final 21-man squad for the U20 Afcon which takes place in Zambia from 26 February.

With less than 10 days to go before the kick-off, SA’s youngsters were placed in Group B, alongside Senegal, Cameroon and Sudan.

Amajita will play their games in Ndola while Group A consists of hosts nation Zambia, Egypt, Mali and Guinea.

Only four top teams from the tournament will automatically qualify for the 2017 Fifa U20 World Cup which will take place in South Korea from May 20 to June 11, 2017.

The South African national U20 coach admits that he has deployed his strongest team for what he expects tp be a ‘tough tournament’.

‘We are going to a tough tournament so it is imperative that we take our strongest players,’ Senong told Safa.net.

‘We have managed to assess the players in the matches against Zambia last week and Mali on Sunday and this is our final squad and I am happy with it.

Senong says he is delighted and confident with the experienced squad he has chosen to participate in the tournament.

‘They (players) understand what is expected of them in the tournament and we have set objectives for this team,’ He added.

‘We are happy that the players have experience with some coming from the U17 national set up, some from the COSAFA Cup played last year and others from the U23 setup; therefore we are confident going into the tournament.’

The 21-man list is as follows:

Goalkeepers:

Sanele Tshabalala, Mondli Mpoto, Khulekani Kubheka

Defenders:

Notha Nature Ngcobo, Repo Tercious Malepe, Aghmat Ridhaa Ceres, Siyabonga Ngezana, Katlego Mohamme, Sandile Mthethwa, Thendo Mukumela.

Midifielders:

Teboho Mokoena, Sipho Percevale Mbule, Wiseman Meyiwa, Phakamani Mahlambi, Sibongakonke Ntuthuko Mbatha, Kobamelo Kodisang, Grant Margeman.

Strikers:

Itumeleng Shopane, Khanyisa Erick Mayo, Liam Jordan, Luther Singh.

Image: SAFA website