As South Africa’s Under-20 national team gears up for the COSAFA Cup in Mozambique, they will be without one of their brightest young talents, Mfundo Vilakazi.
Known for his impressive performances with Kaizer Chiefs, Vilakazi will remain with his club for their upcoming match against Mamelodi Sundowns, leaving his national teammates to forge ahead without him.
Challenges in Securing Player Releases
Despite attempts by the South African Football Association (SAFA) to bring Vilakazi into the squad for the tournament, the club opted to keep him.
His absence is a notable one, given the promise he has shown in his limited appearances for Amakhosi, including scoring a goal in just two games.
Another key player missing from the squad is Cape Town Spurs’ fullback, Siviwe Nkwali, whose club similarly refused to release him for national duty.
The Road Ahead for the U-20 Team
Under the guidance of coach Raymond Mdaka, the South African side will have to rely on their other talents as they head into a challenging Group C.
They will face Malawi in their first match on Friday, followed by Lesotho on Sunday, and Comoros on Tuesday.
To make up for Vilakazi’s absence, Mdaka will look to Shandre Campbell, a skilled left winger who recently signed with Club NXT, the youth academy of Belgium’s Club Brugge.
He will also count on forward Siyabonga Mabena from Mamelodi Sundowns to bolster the team’s attacking options.
A Rich History in the COSAFA U-20 Championship
South Africa’s Under-20 team has a long and proud history in the COSAFA Championship, having claimed the title a record eight times.
This year’s tournament takes on added importance as it serves as a qualifier for the 2025 CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Only the top team from each group, along with the best runner-up, will progress to the semifinals, meaning the competition is fierce.
Historically, South Africa has qualified for the CAF U-20 AFCON eight times, securing a silver medal in 1997 and a third-place finish in 2019.
With tough opponents in their group, such as Malawi, Lesotho, and Comoros, the young South African side will need to bring their best to advance.
Recent Performances and Achievements
The U-20 team’s recent history in the COSAFA Championship is marked by a series of impressive performances.
They reached the final in 2016, followed by consecutive championship wins in 2017 and 2018, and they claimed third place in 2022.
These results highlight South Africa’s ongoing presence as a powerhouse in regional youth football.
South Africa’s Record in the COSAFA U-20 Championship Over 25 Years
- 1999 – Runners-up
- 2000 – Winners
- 2001 – Fourth
- 2002 – Third
- 2003 – Third
- 2004 – Winners
- 2005 – Fourth
- 2006 – Winners
- 2007 – Runners-up
- 2008 – Winners
- 2009 – Winners
- 2010 – Group stages
- 2011 – Group stages
- 2013 – Winners
- 2016 – Runners-up
- 2017 – Winners
- 2018 – Winners
- 2019 – Runners-up
- 2020 – Group stages
- 2022 – Third
What Lies Ahead?
With a rich history and a tough group ahead, the South African U-20 team will be aiming to add another title to their already impressive COSAFA resume.
While the absence of key players like Vilakazi and Nkwali presents challenges, the squad’s depth and determination could still carry them far in the competition.
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