Crowie names four Sundowns players in Amajimbos squad for AFCON
SA U17 head coach Duncan Crowie has named his Amajimbos final squad for the CAF 2023 U17 Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON].
Interestingly, four Mamelodi Sundowns players have been included in the final squad.
Meanwhile, only three overseas-based players have been named in the Amajimbos squad. This is from the initial eight overseas players who were in the preliminary squad.
Liverpool captain Gabriano Shelton is one of the players that are left out of the squad. This comes after his heartfelt plea to head coach Crowie and his assistant Aaron Mokoena to consider him for selection.
The three selected overseas-based players are players Kyle Jansen from Atlanta United [USA], Waylon Renecke of Norwich City [England], and Vitesse’s Michael Dokumnu [Holland].
The coach announced his final squad for the continental competition on Tuesday, 18 April at the SAFA House.
Crowie trimmed the 30-member preliminary squad to 21 players for the AFCON tournament. The tournament will take place in Algeria from 29 April to 19 May 2023.
South Africa reported to camp on 9 April 2023. Coach Crowie had enough time to assess the players to decide on the final squad announced today.
Amajimbos are in Group B alongside Nigeria, Morocco and Zambia. A group that many football fanatics deem as a “Group of Death”.
AMAJIMBOS FULL SQUAD
GOALKEEPERS: Takalani Mzhawana – Kaizer Chiefs [SA], Gennaro Johnson – Cape Town Spurs [SA], Kyle Jansen Atlanta United [USA].
DEFENDERS: Xhosa Manyama – Cape Town Spurs [SA], Keitumetsi Lesia – Supersport United [SA], Waylon Renecke – Norwich City [England]. Benjamin Wallace – Supersport United [SA], Vincent Sithole – Mamelodi Sundowns [SA], Tyler Cecero – Stellenbosch [SA], Thato Sibiya – Mamelodi Sundowns [SA].
MIDFIELDERS: Xolani Shaka – Orlando Pirates [SA], Gomolemo Kekana – TS Galaxy [SA], Vicky Mkhawana – Kaizer Chiefs [SA], Xavier Jodamus – Ubuntu Academy [SA], Dhakier Lee – Cape Town Spurs [SA].
FORWARDS: Michael Dokumnu – Vitesse [Holland], Orifha Bright Naubelo – Capital City – [SA], Bennet Mokoena – Mamelodi Sundowns [SA], Gabriel Amato – Cape Town City [SA], Siyabonga Mabena – Mamelodi Sundowns [SA], Luke Baartman – Capital City – [SA].
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