20 September 2026 – The South African U20 Men’s National team (Amajita) began the defence of their title with a convincing 3-0 win over Lesotho in the CAF U20 Men’s Africa Cup of Nations COSAFA qualifiers at the ABB Stadium in Mozambique on Saturday.
The irrepressible Steven Mendes, who was named Player of the Match, grabbed a goal either side of the half, with the exciting Teboho Mlangeni chipping in with the other strike.
The defending champions started like a house on fire as midfielder Manelis Mazibuko had his goal ruled out as early as the sixth minute by the match official for offside.
South Africa never looked in danger as they dictated terms from the first whistle against neighbours Lesotho, and coach Raymond Mdaka’s charges could have scored an avalanche of goals in the first stanza, but goalkeeper Lehlohonolo Maloka came to the rescue on several occasions for the Mountain Kingdom side.
The goal did eventually come with Mendes benefitting from a defensive lapse from the Lesotho defence at the stroke of half time as Amajita disappeared down the tunnel with an advantage. The second half saw South Africa head coach Mdaka replace Kamohelo Mareletse with Will Henson, giving Amajita more firepower upfront. The move paid dividends as Mendes increased the scoreline 10 minutes after the restart, before Mlangeni made it game, set and match in the 59th minute.
Mdaka continued to make changes, and brought on Kgomotso Madiba, Ukhonaye Magele, Zazi Qotoyi and Lakham Gqongo for Oarabile Booysen, Mazibuko, Milimo Nalumango and Mlangeni, but the scoreline remained the same.
“It was a good performance from the boys, but I feel we could have scored more goals, especially in the first half where we had so many chances. Nonetheless, it was a great win, and I am happy for how the players carried themselves, I even had a chance to give other players an opportunity too. Now that Lesotho is out of the way, our focus now shifts to Angola and again we are targeting maximum points there,” said Mdaka.
SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan sent his congratulatory message to the team.
“Congratulations to the HOD Solomon Mkhabela, coach Raymond Mdaka and his staff, as well as the entire squad for a great performance. It was indeed a very good start to the tournament, a great result that should give us the moment to face Angola on Monday. Well done, we are proud of the outcome and the effort, and all the best in your next fixture which we know will not be easy, but we are confident that you will again continue from where you left off,” said Dr Jordaan.
Amajita will not have enough time to rest as they are back on the field on Monday (21 September) to take on a stubborn Angola that played against Eswatini in the other Group B clash also on Saturday.
Mdaka will, however, be excited as he will have the full complement of his squad with the expected arrival of the Cape Town City duo of Emile Witbooi and Cayden Fortune who missed the Lesotho fixture due to club commitments.
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