Amajimbos head coach Vela Khumalo has disclosed the secret behind Cape Town City FC‘s Emile Witbooi’s fine form at the 2025 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Qatar.
The tournament kicked off on Monday, 3 November, and is set to end on Thursday, 27 November 2025. This is the second time Amajimbos have participated in the FIFA U-17 World Cup, having made their debut appearance in the 2015 World Cup held in Chile.
The SA U-17 national team is in Group A alongside the host country, Qatar, Italy, and Bolivia. They have so far secured a spot in the knockout stage of the competition after finishing second in their group with four points from three outings.
As a result, Amajimbos will battle it out with Japan in the Round of 32 on Saturday, 15 November, at Aspire Zone – Pitch 3. This showdown will start at 15:30 [SA time].
‘HE’S A GROUNDED YOUNG MAN’: VELA KHUMALO ON EMILE WITBOOT
Khumalo revealed that giving Witbooi the freedom to be himself and play his normal game has been key, and this extends to other boys within his squad.
Witbooi has been in good form for Amajimbos at the World Cup, scoring two goals [against Bolivia and Qatar] in the three matches he has featured in for South Africa. In addition, Witbooi was named Man of the Match after SA’s 1-1 draw with Qatar, their second group-stage game.
“I think the important thing is giving these boys the freedom to say, ‘We are in the World Cup now’, so nothing gets better than this. Therefore, be yourself and enjoy this moment as best as you can’,” Khumalo told FARPost.
“‘Continue to showcase the talent that God has given you. You know, this is the chance to present it to the world’.
“Rather than that, he is a talented young man with a bright future ahead of him. He needs to keep his head cool and know what he wants, and he will go further in his career. He is also a very grounded young man, and I think he will make it in life, football-wise.”
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