Amajimbos head coach Vela Khumalo has explained why Kaizer Chiefs rising starlet Shaun Els needs to be protected following his stellar displays at the ongoing 2025 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Qatar.
The U-17 World Cup commenced on 3 November and will conclude on 27 November 2025. Khumalo’s troops are in Group A alongside the hosts, Qatar, Italy, and Bolivia.
Amajimbos have advanced to the Round of 32 after finishing second in their group with four points from three outings. This was a historic moment for South Africa as they qualified for the knockout stage of the FIFA U-17 World Cup for the first time.
South Africa secured a 3-1 win against Bolivia in their opening match, a 1-1 draw with Qatar in the second encounter, and then lost 3-1 to Italy in their last group-stage game.
Amakhosi DStv Diski Challenge [DDC] star Els has been on song for Amajimbos at the World Cup, having scored two goals [against Bolivia and Italy] from the three matches South Africa has played thus far.
He is not the only Chiefs player to be chosen to represent the country. The other players include Teboho Mlangeni, Keabestwe Morake, Lebohang Dhlamini, and Neo Bohloko, the latter also scored a goal at the World Cup against Bolivia.
‘HE IS THE REAL DEAL’: VELA KHUMALO
Khumalo, who coaches the 17-year-old forward Els in the Amakhosi youth development, described him as a “rare breed,” evoking comparisons to the golden era of strikers like Benni McCarthy and Phil Masinga.
“I think I indicated this earlier when I introduced him at DDC. In his introduction at DDC with Kaizer Chiefs, he scored a goal,” said Khumalo in an exclusive interview with FARPost.
“I said it before, and I’m still saying it now: in the country, we are running short of strikers, and if we get a striker like this, who shows glimpses of becoming better and a good goal contributor for the country, we need to take good care of him and nurture him.
“This is similar to when we had Benni McCarthy and Phil Masinga; this is where you can say it’s rare to find a striker like this. He needs to be protected. If we don’t take care of him, then I don’t know what we will be doing, but he is the real deal.”
Amajimbos are set to go head-to-head with Japan in the Round of 32 at the FIFA U-17 World Cup. This showdown will take place on Saturday, 15 November, at Aspire Zone – Pitch 3. The kick-off is scheduled for 15:30 [SA time].
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