Vela Might Snub Amajimbos’ World Cup For Chiefs UK Tour

Sportswire has learnt that Vela Khumalo is reluctant to attend the FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar as head coach of the national team, after delaying the submission of required documentation to the South African Football Association (SAFA).

Instead, Khumalo appears more interested in joining the Kaizer Chiefs DStv Diski Challenge team on their tour of the United Kingdom — a reward for leading Amakhosi’s reserve side to the league title last season.

Earlier this month, the Premier Soccer League (PSL) and MultiChoice confirmed that Chiefs’ reserve team will face English giants Manchester United, Leeds United, and Queens Park Rangers (QPR) U21 during an 11-day UK tour from 25 November to 7 December 2025.

Chiefs are scheduled to depart for the UK on Tuesday, 25 November, arriving in Manchester the following day, where they will be based for most of the trip.

Their opening match will be against Manchester United on Friday, 28 November, followed by a clash with Leeds United on Tuesday, 2 December. The tour will conclude in London with a final fixture against QPR U21 on Saturday, 6 December.

Beyond the matches, the tour will feature academy exchange visits with Manchester United and Liverpool, offering invaluable knowledge-sharing opportunities. The team will also attend a Premier League match between Leeds United and Chelsea, and enjoy a sightseeing day in London, including a visit to the Premier League offices.

However, the FIFA U17 World Cup will take place from 3 to 27 November. Amajimbos have been drawn in Group A alongside Bolivia, Italy, and hosts Qatar. They open their campaign against Bolivia on 3 November, face Qatar on 6 November, and wrap up the group stage against Italy three days later.

With Chiefs’ UK tour starting just two days before the U17 World Cup final, Sportswire has been informed that Khumalo is unwilling to take charge of Amajimbos due to his delay in submitting documentation — a move that has reportedly angered the association.

According to a source, “Khumalo has burnt bridges with SAFA, big time. He has used the media to criticize the association, saying there’s a mess at SAFA. The relationship has broken down, and he may not coach any SAFA national team again.”

Khumalo, who remains part of SAFA’s coaching structures, was called up at the last minute to lead the Bafana B side at the COSAFA Cup in Bloemfontein in June, where they lost in the final to Angola.

When asked who would lead Chiefs’ Diski side to Europe if Khumalo were to join Amajimbos for the World Cup, Chiefs communications manager Vina Maphosa said: “I have not gotten to that discussion. Otherwise, Dillon Sheppard [assistant coach] is there.”

Meanwhile, SAFA confirmed that Amajimbos will play a friendly against Malawi U17 away from home on Sunday as part of their preparations for the World Cup.

“The South African Under-17 men’s national team will play a friendly match against their Malawi counterparts away from home on Sunday as they continue with preparations for the FIFA U17 World Cup,” SAFA said.

“The game will be played as a curtain raiser to the Blantyre derby between FCB Nyasa Big Bullets and the Mighty Wanderers at the Kamuzu Stadium.

“The FIFA U17 World Cup will be held in Qatar from 3–27 November 2025. Amajimbos have been in camp in Johannesburg for the past few days ahead of their departure to Qatar next week.”