South Africa's National Under 20 Soccer Team

Coach announces squad for FIFA Under 20 Youth Championships

The South African National under 20 coach, Serame Letsoaka, and SAFA CEO Raymond Hack have announced The South African National Under 20 team to compete in the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt in September 2009. The team, called Amajita, is set to make waves at the up-coming tournament.

The 2009 FIFA Under 20 Youth Championships tournament will run from 24 September to 17 October 2009.

The team 21-man strong team started their pre-tournament camp on Sunday 13 September2009, after departing for Bloemfontein on the Monday after the team was announced.

In his selection process, Letsoaka based his decision on experience. Many of the Amajita players are currently playing in the ABSA Premiership. Most of the major teams are represented in the 30-man squad.

Five players were selected from Supersport United, four from Ajax Cape Town, three from Orlando Pirates, and two from Kaizer Chiefs.

Players from Overseas clubs Feyernoord FC of Holland and Helsingborg FC of Sweden have also been selected.

Among the players making the grade thus far are Thela Ngobeni and Mandla Masango of Chiefs, Andile Jali of Pirates, Sameeg Doutie and Thulani Serero of Ajax Cape Town, Masibusane Zongo, Thulane Ngcepe and George Malaleke, all of SuperSport United and Kermit Erasmus of Feyenoord.

After announcing the squad, coach Letsoaka had this to say; “I just want to say congratulations to the players, but what I would urge them to do is to continue to work even harder at their respective teams. It’s been a tough assignment to complete the list but I have been assisted by the principle of keeping a balance in the team.”

Amajita have gone through a rigorous preparation phase to ready themselves for the tournament. They visited Ghana, Uruguay, as well as South Korea and Bulgaria and in the process played against the likes of Japan, Egypt, Hungary and Angola.

SAFA CEO Raymond Hack has thanked the clubs for releasing the young players for this important national assignment.

“Our team has made South Africa proud by qualifying for the under 20 FIFA World Cup in Egypt, and we applaud the clubs for affording the youngsters an opportunity of a life time, to represent their country at the World Youth Championships," said Hack.

South Africa is drawn in the opening round with United Arab Emirates, Honduras, and Hungary

The 2009 FIFA Under 20 Youth Championships are the perfect opportunity for you to get into the groove for the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup. 

This is also your opportunity to get to know the future stars of SA soccer. Support the boys who will no doubt one day be representing South Africa in the senior soccer side.

For more exciting soccer news and for information on the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa browse through our FIFA 2010 Section.

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