Amajimbos Set For Japan Clash In World Cup Knockout Stage
Amajimbos will face Japan in the FIFA U/17 World Cup round of 32 on Saturday after the completion of all group-stage matches on Tuesday in the ongoing tournament in Qatar.
South Africa’s juniors made history by advancing to the knockout stage after finishing second in Group A with four points, behind group winners Italy.
Vela Khumalo’s young side started their campaign with a victory over Bolivia, drew with hosts Qatar, and narrowly lost to Italy, who topped the group with nine points from three matches.
By finishing second in Group A, Amajimbos earned a clash with Japan, the winners of Group B.
South Africa are one of eight African nations to reach the round of 32.
Their progression to the knockout phase of a FIFA World Cup sees Khumalo’s team emulate the achievements of the 2009 Amajita squad led by Serame Letsoaka in Egypt, Desiree Ellis’ 2023 Banyana Banyana side at the Women’s World Cup in New Zealand and Australia, and more recently, Raymond Mdaka’s Amajita team that competed in Chile last month.
“You can see that this team can play football. Arsène Wenger, FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, said as much in Morocco after watching them. He said this is a very good team,” said SAFA president Danny Jordaan.
“Even the FIFA observers at the game were very impressed and said the team plays with real quality. The standard of both Italy and South Africa was very high.
“Of course, South Africa made a few mistakes, and it’s suicidal to do that at this level, but I’m sure they’ve learned from the experience.
“When you look at our team compared to Italy’s U17s, you’ll find some of their players are already playing at higher levels and in top leagues, while in South Africa we’re still not giving our young players enough opportunities at the senior level.
“But I believe this tournament has helped them grow – both as a team and as individuals.”
If Amajimbos overcome Japan, they will face the winner of the Venezuela versus North Korea match.
