Vela Khumalo has addressed the showboating by promising talent Emile Witbooi, which occurred during the SA Under-20 side’s victory at the COSAFA Region 5 Youth Games in Namibia on Sunday afternoon.
Amajita defended their regional title, thrashing Malawi 3-0 in the final at UNAM Stadium in Windhoek.
Khumalo notably utilised U-17 players in the tournament as a preparatory step for the upcoming 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar this November.
Cape Town City FC’s Witbooi, one of the key players expected to feature in the World Cup, walked away with the Player of the Match accolade in the COSAFA Cup final after providing two assists.
This win adds to a remarkable run for South Africa’s U-20 side, who continue to excel on the continental stage. Following their COSAFA U-20 Men’s Championship win in Mozambique last year, they recently claimed the U-20 AFCON title, securing their qualification for the FIFA U-20 World Cup.
It was Witbooi’s showboating that also garnered attention, sparking debate among fans and pundits on social media. Khumalo, who also coaches Kaizer Chiefs’ Diski Challenge team, expressed his disapproval of Witbooi’s actions.
During the latter stages of the final, Witbooi’s showboating led to an opponent deliberately fouling him, seemingly out of frustration or a sense of disrespect.
VELA KHUMALO WARNS AGAINST “FUNNY BUSINESS” AFTER WITBOOI’S ON-FIELD FLAIR
Khumalo insinuated his intent to “root out” showboating from the SA U-17 team, describing it as “funny business.”
“I’m happy that we won the title convincingly, but there are elements that we still need to root out in our team,” said Khuamlo. “There are certain aspects of the game where we think, even though they are kids, we need to work on other elements. Going to the World Cup and still doing other funny businesses, those are the things that one still needs to take them out…”
The coach added, “People can see that we are a very disciplined team. However, there are a few elements, and it is kids, when they get carried away, to say now we are winning and leading, it is 4-0 or 3-0, then they start doing those things I don’t want to talk about.
“Those are the things I’m going to root out, we are not supposed to be doing such things, but we played good football, this is the signature of South African football, this is how we play in South Africa, these boys are representing South African football and the philosophy of the country…”
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