South African Under-17 side Amajimbos need to get a point in their last 2025 Africa Cup of Nations group B match against Burkina Faso at the Stade Larbi Zaoli in Casablanca, Morocco, this evening (6pm, SA time), to join the class of 2017 and become the second South African junior men’s side to qualify for the World Cup.
All indications are that Vela Khumalo’s team are capable of fulfilling that dream as the Burkinabe will be playing to keep their top position, having already qualified after beating Egypt and Cameroon in their first two matches.
Amajimbos started the competition with an incredible come-from-behind 4-3 win over Egypt on Monday before holding the Indomitable Cubs to a 0-0 draw in their second outing on Thursday. “We want to get seven points and win the group,” Khumalo told the Sunday Times from Casablanca yesterday.
“But we’re still going to be cautious because we’re playing a team that has gained momentum. We’re aware that if we get a point, we’re through to the World Cup but we don’t want to leave it to chance by saying we’re going for a draw.”
Amajimbos are vying to be one of 10 African nations to qualify for the 48-team World Cup in Qatar in November. Khumalo said booking a place would be a huge game changer for South African football. “It (qualifying) will be a big milestone for the players because it will confirm that we have good talent in the country.
“It will open gates and opportunities for the boys to be scouted by big teams overseas,” said Khumalo, who is also head coach of the Kaizer Chiefs reserve team.
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