Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has delivered an inspiring message to Amajita, South Africa’s U-20 National Team, following their triumphant AFCON U-20 success.
Broos was present to welcome the AFCON Under-20 champions Amajita as they arrived at OR Tambo International Airport from Cairo on Tuesday.
South Africa triumphed over Morocco with a 1-0 victory in the final, thanks to a stunning second-half goal from Gomolemo Kekana at the June 30 Stadium on Sunday night.
Coached by Raymond Mdaka, the team made history by winning the tournament for the first time. They also broke a long-standing barrier against North African teams, overcoming a previous streak of five single-goal defeats.
The historic feat also came with qualification for the FIFA Under-20 World Cup later this year.
WHAT WAS HUGO BROOS’S MESSAGE TO AMAJITA
The Belgian mentor who led Bafana Bafana to a bronze medal finish in the 2023 AFCON told Amajita that this marked the start of their professional journeys.
“Everything starts now for you, you are at a crossroads,” Broos said at the airport on Tuesday. “If you take the right direction, I’ll see you back next year in Bafana Bafana in big stadiums here in South Africa.”
He cautioned those who might “choose the wrong path” that they would regret missing out on the “nice life” of being a professional footballer. “You‘ve got every opportunity to have a nice life for the next 10, 12 years as a professional football player and believe me, it’s the nicest profession you can imagine.”
Broos, who recently led Bafana Bafana to AFCON 2025 qualification, emphasised that a professional career requires hard work.
“But you still have to work very hard in the next months. I hope you guys take the right lifestyle, this is very important to achieve,” he concluded.
Mdaka’s charges were solid at the back with defender Tylon Smith earning the Best Player of the Tournament Award while Fletcher Lowe walked away with the top goalkeeper gong.
Lowe was impressive throughout the tournament, registering 24 saves and keeping four clean sheets.
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