Amajimbos Set For Face Host Morocco In CAF Quarters

Amajimbos are set to face host nation Morocco in the CAF U17 Cup of Nations quarterfinal at Stade El Bachir in Mohammédia on Thursday (21:00).

Vela Khumalo’s team advanced to the quarterfinals after finishing second in Group B, behind group leaders Burkina Faso.

This qualification also secures their place in the FIFA U17 World Cup, scheduled to take place in Qatar in November, the same country that hosted the senior men’s World Cup in 2022.

Amajimbos started their campaign with a thrilling 4-3 victory over Egypt and followed it with a hard-fought draw against Cameroon, securing a crucial point that ensured their progression from the group stage.

In their final group match, they faced a strong Burkina Faso side and suffered a 2-0 defeat. However, Egypt’s victory over Cameroon allowed Amajimbos to maintain their second-place finish.

This quarterfinal will be the second meeting between Amajimbos and Morocco in this competition. The two teams previously met in the 2023 group stage, where South Africa lost 2-0. At that time, Vela Khumalo and Duncan Crowie were co-coaches.

South Africa finished third in their group in 2023 and also reached the quarterfinals, where they were eliminated by Nigeria in a 5-0 defeat.

Several players, including Cape Town City’s Gabriel Amato, Mamelodi Sundowns’ midfielder Siyabonga Mabena, Kaizer Chiefs’ Vickey Mkhawana, and Cape Town Spurs’ Luke Baartman, were part of that 2023 squad.

If South Africa manages to defeat Morocco, they will then face the winner of the quarterfinal between Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal.

Those two West African sides are scheduled to play on Friday, the day after South Africa’s match against Morocco.