The Bucs have very little representation in the preliminary side named for the regional tourney
Only one Orlando Pirates star has made it to South Africa's squad for the 2024 COSAFA U20 Championship.
Head coach Raymond Mdaka named his preliminary squad on Thursday as he prepares for the upcoming tournament and with Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns having three each in the squad, only one from the Buccaneers made the cut.
SuperSport United have the highest number of players in the squad after four earned a call-up while teen sensation sensation Shandre Campbell, who left the club for Belgium's Club Brugge, is among nine foreign-based players.
Amajita will play two international friendlies ahead of COSAFA
Amajita will report for camp on August 11 and will play two international friendly matches against Lesotho, as they wrap up preparations for the regional tournament, which will take place at the end of September 2024.
The COSAFA U20 Championships plays a pivotal role for the rising stars as they eye graduation into the senior ranks.
Mdaka believes that the two international friendly matches scheduled for 16 and 18 August 16 and 18, will assist him in picking the final squad for the regional showpiece.
“It has been a hectic couple of months for me and my technical team as we have been monitoring players locally and abroad,” he said.
‘We want to build a solid team around this bunch of players’
“We haven’t camped as a group since March 2024, but this upcoming camp will be very critical to our vision and way forward in preparing for the COSAFA championships.
“We have called up 34 players for this camp and hope that all of them will honour the call ups. We want to build a solid team around this bunch of players who we have identified.
“I am looking forward to my first official international match as coach of Amajita and I believe that the crop of talent we have will make my job much easier,” added Mdaka.
AMAJITA SQUAD FOR COSAFA CHAMPIONSHIPS
Musa Masemola – VIA Sports FC (RSA)
Fletcher Smythe-Lowe – Benfica FC (Portugal)
Takalani Mazhamba – Kaizer Chiefs FC (RSA)
Duane Bennet – Wits University FC (RSA)
Neo Rapoo – SuperSport United FC (RSA)
Asekho Tiwani – Sekhukhune United FC (RSA)
Siviwe Nkwali – Cape Town Spurs FC (RSA)
Mbekezeli Mbokazi – Orlando Pirates FC (RSA)
Tylon Smith – Stellenbosch FC (RSA)
Waylon Renecke – Norwich City FC (England)
Xhosa Manyama – Cape Town City FC (RSA)
Lazola Maku – SuperSport United FC (RSA)
Thuto Mojanaga – Feyenoord (Netherlands)
Siyabonga Mabena – Mamelodi Sundowns FC (RSA)
Mfundo Vilakazi – Kaizer Chiefs FC (RSA)
Luphumlo Sifumba – Cape Town City FC (RSA)
Ayanda Sishuba – RC Lens FC (France)
Langelihle Phili – Stellenbosch FC (RSA)
Shandre Campbell – Club NXT (Belgium)
Thabang Mahlangu – SuperSport United FC (RSA)
Siviwe Magidigidi – SuperSport United FC (RSA)
Kutlwano Letlhako – Mamelodi Sundowns FC(RSA)
Shakeel April – Cape Town City FC (RSA)
Luke Baartman – Cape Town Spurs FC (RSA)
Ofentse Kgosana – Kaizer Chiefs FC (RSA)
Gopolang Taunyana – Kaizer Chiefs FC (RSA)
Cameron Scott – Glasgow Rangers (Scotland)
Aaron Stoch Rydell – AIK (Sweden)
Gomolemo Kekana – Mamelodi Sundowns FC (RSA)
Bennet Mokoena – Mamelodi Sundowns FC (RSA)
Michael Dokumnu – Feyenoord (Netherlands)
Katlego Hansen – Copenhagen (Denmark)
Gennaro Johnson – Unattached
