Amajita back in camp for Afcon preps

Thabo Senong © Backpagepix

The Burger King-sponsored South African under-20 national team (Amajita) are back in camp for the second training camp in preparation for the 2017 Caf Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations which will be held in Zambia from 26 February – 12 March in Lusaka and Ndola.

South Africa is in Group B, alongside Cameroon, Senegal and Sudan and will be based in Ndola while Group A consists of hosts Zambia, Egypt, Mali and Guinea and will play their opening matches in Lusaka.

The top four teams of the tournament will qualify for 2017 Edition of the Fifa Under-20 World Cup to be hosted in South Korea in May.

Head coach Thabo Senong is excited with the number of players who reported for camp on Monday night though goalkeeper Darren Johnson of Ajax Cape Town has been released due to a minor injury sustained in the first training camp.

Meanwhile, SuperSport United goalkeeper Mondli Mpoto has been replaced by Mamelodi Sundown’s Khulekani Kubheka while leading striker Luther Singh will join the team later this week. Zama Rambuwane who plays in Israel has now been replaced by Masilakhe Phohlongo from Ajax Cape Town.

“It is all systems go and we should have productive sessions in the coming days. This is our second phase of our scheduled camps and we have lined up a few more friendly matches for this week before making our way to Zambia for the weekend’s international friendly,” said Senong.

The South Africans will travel to Lusaka on Thursday for the international friendly match against Zambia.