SA U-17 get AFCON lifeline despite qualification failure

The South African U-17 Men’s National Team, Amajimbos, have received a major Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON] lifeline despite failing to qualify.

The Vela Khumalo-coached side initially missed out on the 2025 AFCON tournament after crashing out in the semi-finals of the COSAFA Cup late last year.

Only the finalists, Zambia and Angola, qualified from the COSAFA region for the AFCON. The latter also serves as a FIFA U-17 World Cup qualification. 

But the team has received some good news and will be joining other countries at the tournament taking place in Morocco from 30 March-19 April 2025.

HOW AMAJIMBOS HAVE RECEIVED A LIFELINE FOR THE U-17 AFCON

With 12 nations having initially qualified for the tournament, the CAF has increased the number to 16. South Africa will now join COSAFA finalists Zambia and Angola as the representatives of the region.

A RELIEF FOR SAFA AS MEN’S U-17 SIDE WILL BE BATTLING FOR WORLD CUP TICKET

“This development comes after the Confederation of African Football extended the number of participating nations in the continental showpiece to 16 countries from the initial 12,” SAFA confirmed on Friday.

“South Africa had narrowly missed out on qualifying for the 15th edition of the AFCON after falling short to Zambia in the 2024 COSAFA U-17 Championships semifinals, which were played in December 2024.

“But with the heavens shining down on this special breed of players, they got the nod as the third-best team in the tournament and will represent Southern Africa in the U-17 AFCON,” added SAFA.

Meanwhile, the draw for the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations is yet to take place to determine which group South Africa will be placed in. The African nations will be battling for tickets to the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup in November 2025.

RELATED STORY: Vela Khumalo’s stern warning on Chiefs starlet Mfundo Vilakazi