Following Amajita’s triumph in the AFCON U-20 tournament last month, coach Raymond Mdaka has shed light on the team’s expectations for the upcoming 2025 FIFA Under-20 World Cup.
The U-20 World Cup competition will be hosted in Chile from September 27 to October 19, 2025.
The SA U-20 National Team booked their ticket to Chile after reaching the semi-finals of the 2025 CAF U-20 AFCON tournament held in Egypt. Amajita went on to win the tournament for the first time.
Under the tutelage of Mdaka, Amajita has won two trophies—the COSAFA U-20 Championships and the AFCON U-20 tournament—since taking over the coaching reins in March 2024.
WHAT COACH RAYMOND MDAKA SAID ABOUT EXPECTATIONS HEADING TO CHILE FOR FIFA U-20 WORLD CUP
Coach Mdaka acknowledged the persistent public expectations, even in the face of widespread doubt about their ability to qualify for the FIFA U-20 World Cup and win the AFCON U-20 tournament, both of which they accomplished.
He stressed that the tournament’s focus remains on the players, who consistently give their all when representing the country.
“People always have expectations, I know. When we went to Mozambique [for the COSAFA qualifiers for the 2025 U-20 AFCON], the thing was that the country had never qualified for so long for the AFCON U-20 tournament, and there were fewer expectations from the boys,” said Mdaka.
“Even now, when we went to Egypt [for the 2025 CAF U-20 AFCON tournament], the mandate was to qualify for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup. But we were fortunate enough to end up bringing the trophy home.
“So, going to Chile, it is a good opportunity for the boys. Don’t forget that it’s about them [the players] who are playing. It is at the highest level of competition and performance.”
He added: “But we will always try our level best to say, this is what we can give as South Africans, and we are really prepared. So, we will see how far we can go.”
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