Amajimbos head coach Vela Khumalo has expressed his heartfelt sentiments following the junior national team’s achievement of qualifying for the 2025 FIFA World Cup, revealing what it means to step onto the world stage.
Despite a 2-0 defeat to Burkina Faso in their final Under-17 AFCON Group B match at Stade Larbi Zaouli, Casablanca, on Sunday, Khumalo’s troops secured a place in the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar and a spot in the AFCON quarterfinals.
Egypt’s win against Cameroon, played simultaneously in Group B, was crucial for Amajimbos as it ensured their second-place standing and subsequent World Cup qualification.
Burkina Faso finished the group stage with a perfect nine points at the summit, while Amajimbos advanced with four points as runners-up, thanks to their win against Egypt and draw in the Cameroon tie. Both Burkina Faso and Khumalo’s men progress to the quarterfinals, aiming for continental success.
In the game against Burkina Faso, SA missed a golden opportunity when Neo Bohloko’s penalty, awarded after VAR review, was saved by Burkina Faso’s goalkeeper Ali Koné. This save proved pivotal, shifting the momentum in Burkina Faso’s favour after the first half ended goalless.
Issouf Bara opened the scoring in the 65th minute, capitalising on a headed assist from Asharaf Tapsoba to score from close range. Tapsoba sealed the victory for Burkina Faso with an impressive long-range strike in the 89th minute, finding the bottom corner. Amajimbos, despite efforts from Bohloko and Emile Witbooi, struggled to penetrate Burkina Faso’s strong defence.
‘IT IS MISSION ACCOMPLISHED’ – KHUMALO ON FIFA WORLD CUP QUALIFICATION
Khumalo, also the Kaizer Chiefs‘ DDC side coach, was thrilled for his team, stating that World Cup qualification was a momentous achievement.
It’s the first time since 2015 that SA have qualified for the World Cup, and this is also their fourth time in the AFCON knockout stages, after 2005, 2015 and 2023.
“Let me take this opportunity to thank each and every South African who rallied behind us,” said Khumalo. “This is a great moment and a big achievement.
“Initially, I made it clear that more than anything else, we want to qualify for the World Cup, so it is mission accomplished. I am very excited and delighted despite the last result [loss to Burkina Faso], where I think we still played well. We did not convert our chances, and we need to be a little bit more aggressive and direct. I’m excited, happy, so happy for the boys, and happy for myself.
“We have a big challenge ahead of us. Playing at the world stage means a lot, and I’m looking forward to it, as well as the boys and the technical team.”
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