South Africa names final squad ahead of CAF U-20 AFCON in Egypt

By Mark Ogagan

South Africa U-20 Men’s national team coach, Raymond Mdaka has named his final squad for the U20 Africa Cup of Nations which kicks off in Egypt later this month.

Mdaka’s U20 South African team qualified for the tournament last year after winning the COSAFA Cup, and will face a tough group in Egypt where they will face hosts Egypt, Nigeria and Morocco in Group B.

The coach has named a strong 21-man squad, as well as four players on standby. There is a recall for Portuguese-based goalkeeper Fletcher Lowe-Smythe, who missed the camp last month, but was key at COSAFA. Unfortunately, Club Brugge’s Shandre Campbell was not available for selection, while another COSAFA star, Mamelodi Sundowns’ Siyabonga Mabena, is out injured.

While their absence will be missed, several players including Mfundo Vilakazi, Asekho Tiwani, Langelihle Phili and Siviwe Nkwali, who weren’t at COSAFA, strengthen the squad.

In a well-balanced squad, four players come from DStv Diski Challenge log leaders Kaizer Chiefs, while there are three players each from Mamelodi Sundowns, SuperSport United, Stellenbosch and Cape Town City.

“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, Langelihe, 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 since got injured. We also have included four players, as the rule requires for any situation that would need a replacement.”

GOALKEEPERS
FLETCHER LOWE-SMYTHE (ESTORIL)
TAKALANI MAZHAMBA (CHIEFS)
KGOLENG RATISANI (SEKHUKHUNE)
DEFENDERS
MBEKEZELI MBOKAZI (PIRATES)
GOPOLANG TAUNYANA (CHIEFS)
TYLON SMITH (STELLENBOSCH)
SIFISO TIMBA (CHIEFS)
ASEKHO TIWANi (SUNDOWNS)
SIVIWE NKWALI (SPURS)
NEO RAPOO (SUPERSPORT)
MIDFIELDERS
GOMOLEMO KEKANA (SUNDOWNS)
PATRICK AUTATA (CT CITY)
LAZOLA MAKU (SUPERSPORT)
MFUNDO VILAKAZI (CHIEFS)
FAIZ ABRAHAMS (STELLENBOSCH)
LANGELIHLE PHILI (STELLENBOSCH)
SHAKEEL APRIL (CT CITY)
KUTLWANO LETHLAKU (SUNDOWNS)
FORWARDS
JODY AH SHENE (CT CITY)
THABANG MAHLANGU (SUPERSPORT)
KGOMOTSO MODIBA (STARS OF AFRICA)

PLAYERS ON STANDBY
GABRIEL AMATO (CT CITY)
THATO SIBIYA (SUNDOWNS)
NALEDI HLONGWANE (CHIEFS)
THATO MPATI (MAGESI)