Liverpool captain Shelton included in provisional Amajimbos squad

Liverpool captain Gabriano Shelton was included in the Amajimbos provisional squad for the CAF 2023 U17 Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON].

SA U17 coach Duncan Crowie announced his 30-member squad on Friday, 10 March for the eagerly-awaited AFCON tournament.

Shelton headlines the preliminary squad a few months after he made a heartfelt plea to coach Crowie and his assistant Aaron Mokoena to be considered for selection.

GABRIANO SHELTON LEADING THE PACK

Interestingly, the squad includes eight overseas players, with Shelton, who plays as a right-back and midfield, leading the pack. 

The other seven overseas-based are players Kyle Jansen from Atlanta United [USA], Waylon Renecke of  Norwich City [England], Getafe defender Bonginkosi Phala [Spain], Thuto Mojanang of Feyenoord [Holland], Vitesse’s Michael Dokumnu [Holland], Aaron Sloch of Rydell Nordsjaelland [Denmark] and Lucas Jetten – Ajax Amsterdam [Holland]. 

The selected players for this camp will be used to select the final squad for the upcoming AFCON competition. 

The tournament will take place in Algeria from 29 April to 19 May 2023.  

South Africa will report to camp on 9 April 2023. Coach Crowie will announce his final squad team on Saturday, 15 April 2023.

Crowie’s charges are in Group B alongside Nigeria, Morocco and Zambia. A group that many South African football fanatics deem as a “Group of Death”. 

Amajimbos recently conducted a selection camp at the SAFA National Technical Centre last month. Crowie ran the rule over several players he wanted to continue with as they gear up for the AFCON.   

AMAJIMBOS FULL SQUAD 

GOALKEEPERS: Takalani Mzhawana – Kaizer Chiefs  [SA], Gennaro Johnson – Cape Town Spurs [SA], Kyle Jansen Atlanta United [USA].

DEFENDERS: Khosa Manyama – Cape Town Spurs [SA], Gabriano Shelton –  Liverpool [England], Keitumetsi Lesia – Supersport United [SA], Waylon Renecke – Norwich City [England]. Benjamin Wallace – Supersport United [SA], Bonginkosi Phala – Getafe [Spain]. Vincent Sithole – Mamelodi Sundowns [SA], Tyler Cecero – Stellenbosch [SA], Neo Rapoo – SuperSport United [SA], Thato Sibiya – Mamelodi Sundowns [SA].

MIDFIELDERS: Xolani Shaka –  Orlando Pirates [SA], Sfiso Timba – Kaizer Chiefs [SA], Gomolemo Kekana – TS Galaxy [SA], Vicky Mkhawana – Kaizer Chiefs [SA]. Aphelele Mkhize – Maritzburg United [SA], Xavier Jodamus – Ubuntu Academy [SA]. Thuto Mojanang – Feyenoord [Holland], Dhakier Lee – Cape Town Spurs [SA].

FORWARDS: Michael Dokumnu – Vitesse [Holland], Orifha Bright Naubelo – Capital City – [SA], Bennet Mokoena – Mamelodi Sundowns [SA]. Aaron Sloch – Rydell Nordsjaelland [Denmark]. Gabriel Amato – Cape Town City [SA], Lucas Jetten – Ajax Amsterdam [Holland]. Tyrese Davids – Supersport United [SA], Ofentse Kgosana – Kaizer Chiefs [SA], Siyabonga Mabena – Mamelodi Sundowns [SA].

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