While club resistance has stripped Amajita of several key stars ahead of the CAF U-20 AFCON COSAFA qualifiers, head coach Raymond Mdaka may find that this squad crisis is a blessing in disguise as he aims to guide South Africa to a third consecutive regional title.
The regional tournament is scheduled to take place in Mozambique from 18 to 27 September 2026. Amajita have been drawn in Group B alongside Lesotho, Angola, and Eswatini.
Mdaka’s charges will kick off their group-stage campaign on Saturday, 19 September, against Lesotho. They will then face Angola on Monday, 21 September. They will wrap up their group fixtures against Eswatini on Wednesday, 23 September.
With the qualifiers set to start three days before the official FIFA international window [21–27 September], clubs are not obligated to release players early. With the team flying out on Thursday, 17 September, late player arrivals will inevitably disrupt preparations.
Mdaka announced his final squad on Wednesday afternoon, with several notable names left out. Mamelodi Sundowns starlet Bennet Mokoena, Orlando Pirates sensation Mpho Padime, and European-based goalkeeper Fletcher Smythe-Lowe of G.D. Estoril Praia in Portugal were all withheld by their parent clubs.
In addition, Cape Town City FC star Emile Witbooi will link up with the squad late in Mozambique. This comes after SAFA’s arrangements with the Cape club. Witbooi is set to feature for the Citizens in their Motsepe Foundation Championship clash against North West University FC on Saturday before jetting off to national duty, forcing him to miss Amajita’s opening fixture against Lesotho.
South Africa enter the tournament as back-to-back regional champions, aiming for a top-two finish in Mozambique to seal their spot at the 2027 Under-20 AFCON in Ghana. From there, reaching the continental semi-finals will earn them a ticket to next year’s FIFA U-20 World Cup, set to be co-hosted by Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan.
WHY RAYMOND MDAKA STANDS TO GAIN WITHOUT OTHER KEY PLAYERS
While navigating a major tournament without key personnel presents a tactical headache, coach Mdaka still has elite depth.
The forced changes could ultimately unearth new leaders and broaden South Africa’s U-20 talent pool.
Having faced and overcome these exact challenges to win the last two titles, Mdaka has already proven he has what it takes to guide Amajita to a third consecutive crown.
PROVEN PEDIGREE BETWEEN THE STICKS FOR AMAJITA
In place of Portugal-based Smythe-Lowe, Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Takalani Mazhamba steps directly into the spotlight.
Mazhamba made his senior debut for Amakhosi in May 2026 on the final day of the 2025/26 campaign against Chippa United.
Promoted from the club’s DStv Diski Challenge [DDC] squad last season, the 19-year-old was also part of the setup that won the U-20 AFCON in May 2025, bringing vital continental experience between the sticks.
DYNAMIC DEPTH IN WIDE ATTACKING AREAS FOR AMAJITA
Padime’s absence leaves a void after his stellar campaign for Pirates, where his 10-goal tally propelled the Buccaneers to their maiden DDC title before earning him a promotion to the senior team under Abdeslam Ouaddou.
However, Mdaka has potent alternatives. Brazil-based Kgomotso ‘KG’ Madiba, who plays for Fluminense’s U-20 side, offers flair on the wing, while Witbooi’s arrival after matchday one adds elite attacking quality.
FIREPOWER UP FRONT FOR AMAJITA
Sundowns’ Mokoena will be missed after finishing as the DDC’s top scorer with 22 goals last term and breaking into Masandawana’s first team with eight appearances across all competitions this season.
Nevertheless, Mdaka can rely on Orlando Pirates’ relentless forward Will Henson to disrupt opposition backlines. Sundowns’ forward Angus Moss provides another formidable option.
The versatile attacker, Moss, who transitioned from a defender to a striker at Cape Town Spurs, drew European interest. He underwent an assessment with Belgian Pro League outfit KAA Gent in May.
Rather than weakening Amajita, the club-versus-country conflict offers Mdaka’s fringe stars a golden opportunity to step up and prove the nation’s youth development runs deep.
AMAJITA FINAL SQUAD
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