14 February 2025 – The South African U17 Men’s National Team (Amajimbos) will begin their preparations for the 2025 U17 CAF AFCON later this month following the draw for the tournament on Thursday afternoon.
The South Africa was drawn in Group B in the junior continental showpiece, where 10 nations will qualify for the 2025 FIFA U17 FIFA World Cup to be held in Qatar between 5 -27 November 2025.
They will have to get past Burkina Faso, Egypt and the winner of the UNIFAC region, to book a place in the quarterfinals for automatic qualification for the World Cup.
Head Coach Vela Khumalo has called up 42 players for a training camp to be held from 24 -28 February 2025 at the SAFA Technical Centre where the final squad for the 2025 CAF U17 AFCON will be determined.
Speaking to www.safa.net, Khumalo said that there was still a missing element to the scintillating squad that has captured many hearts over the two-years of preparations under the FIFA Talent Development Scheme (TDS).
“Firstly, we want to express how happy we are to be the third country from the COSAFA region to be going to participate in the 2025 CAF U17 AFCON in Morocco. We were shattered after the COSAFA semifinals in December 2024 where we lost 2-1 to Zambia,” said Khumalo.
“We believe we have a great team that has to be seen by the world, and we will be going to the AFCON to ensure that we book a place in the FIFA U17 World Cup. We have called up 40 players to our training camp before deciding on the final squad for the AFCON. We will have a look at other players that may have peaked over the last year, players who may have been on our raider since 2024 and players that we may need to call up to reenforce the team.
“We are excited about the prospects of 2025 and the endless possibilities for this group of players. We are also happy with the draw but will be watching the UNIFAC tournament very closely to study our last opponent of Group B.”
The 2025 CAF U17 Africa Cup of Nations will be held in Morocco from 30 March – 19 April 2025.
42 men squad:
| Preliminary Squad AFCON U-17 | |
| RADEBE Lwandiso | SuperSport United FC |
| HOLDEN Luke | Mamelodi Sundowns FC |
| LOSPER Sabrie | Cape Town City FC |
| MORAKE Keabetswe | Kaizer Chiefs FC |
| LEREMO Junior | Rosina Sedibane High School |
| MOKHOBO Sello | Harmony Football Academy |
| TAILOR Joshua | Cape Town City FC |
| JONES Daunte | Cape Town Spurs FC |
| MOSIA Lehlohonolo | University of Pretoria FC |
| KOLOTI Khumo | SuperSport United FC |
| PAMA Sive | Cape Town City FC |
| MOKOKOSI Bokamoso | Kaizer Chiefs FC |
| BOOYSEN Hayden | Ubuntu Football Academy |
| MZIMELA Khayalethu | British Football Academy |
| LESHILO Bokang | Mamelodi Sundowns FC |
| MADONDO Ayanda | KZN Academy FC |
| FREESE Egan | Kaizer Chiefs FC |
| MARTINHUIS Liam | Mamelodi Sundowns FC |
| DLEKEDLA Abulele | Cape Town City FC |
| MARALETSI Kamohelo | Mamelodi Sundowns FC |
| MENDES Steven | Hammarby IF (Sweden) |
| MLANGENI Teboho | Kaizer Chiefs FC |
| HEYNES Tyrese | Cape Town Spurs |
| MHLONGO Obama | AmaZulu FC |
| STEVENS Selwyn | Mamelodi Sundowns FC |
| MOSS Angus | Cape Town Spurs |
| TSHANGELA Lusolwethu | Harmony Football Academy |
| SISULU Sithenkosi | Cape Town City FC |
| MPHANYA Thabang | University of Pretoria FC |
| MSANE Lebogang | Mamelodi Sundowns FC |
| MJIKELO Mihlali | Cape Town City FC |
| DHLAMINI Lebogang | Kaizer Chiefs FC |
| WITBOOI Emile | Cape Town City FC |
| BOHLOKO Neo | Kaizer Chiefs FC |
| LEBESANE Oageng | Harmony Football Academy |
| SEKGOTO Omphemetse | Mamelodi Sundowns FC |
| LONZI Sivusiwe | Ubuntu Academy FC |
| VAN DER VINT Fagan | Cape Town Spurs FC |
| MLONDO Simphiwe | Mamelodi Sundowns FC |
| MAZIBUKO Ntando | TS Galaxy FC |
| TSENOLI Katleho | Grey College |
| SIBANDE Kabelo | Mamelodi Sundowns FC |
South African Football: Bafana Bafana famously beat Brazil 1-0 in 1996 during the Nelson Mandela Challenge.
General Finish
Fun South African Fact: Travel to Tsitsikamma, on the border of the Western Cape and Eastern Cape to visit the world’s highest commercial bungee jump! Those who are brave enough can take the 216-meter jump off the Bloukrans Bridge and soar through the air towards the Bloukrans River below. Definitely a must for thrill-seekers and adrenaline-junkies!
Fire Fish
A cricket ball weighs around 5 ½ ounces.