South Africa U20 and U17 teams have landed in ‘Groups of Death’ following the Africa Cup of Nations draws conducted for the two tournaments on Thursday.
Just like the Bafana Bafana got Egypt in both the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations draw and 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN 2024) qualifiers, both U17 and U20 teams will also play the Egyptians in their AFCON groups.
South Africa U20, popularly known as Amajita, have landed in a tough Group B that has Egypt, Nigeria and Morocco, handing them a difficult task if they want to get into the knockout round.
Amajita qualified for the tournament, set to take place in Ivory Coast, after beating Zambia in the COSAFA Cup final.
Who have Amajimbos got?
There is a lot at stake at the 2025 AFCON U20, which will be held from April 26 to May 18, as the top four nations will qualify for the 2025 U20 World Cup that will be staged in Chile in September.
Meanwhile, South Africa U17, nicknamed Amajimbos, have also landed in Group B for the tournament and will face the Egyptians, Burkina Faso and a team from UNIFAC1.
South Africa were late entrants into the tournament following their inclusion by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) last week, when it was expanded to 16 teams.
Amajimbos had finished third in their AFCON U17 qualifiers but got a reprieve when CAF made the decision and will now be among the teams squaring it out in Morocco between March 30 and April 19 where 10 countries will book a ticket to the 2025 FIFA U17 World Cup in November 2025.
