Amajimbos to showcase best of SA talent at U17 AFCON - Vela Khumalo

Amajimbos open their campaign in Group B against Egypt at Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco this evening (22:00 SA time), with Cameroon and Burkina Faso completing their group.

Out of the 16 teams at this tournament, 10 will qualify for the FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar later this year, and Khumalo is confident they will be there.

"I think we are very clear with our players to say, as much as everyone is saying it's a group of death, we are happy that we are counted as one the best in that group as well," said Khumalo.

"We are going to showcase our talent, we have a talented team, but more important than anything, the character and mentality is that we want to see ourselves at the World Cup.

"So irrespective, they are all at the same age, it's a different year, and we understand that we are new, but I remember we were once in this level and this is not going to be completely new, the experience is there.

"But, like I said, more important than anything is we want to qualify for the World Cup and we surely want to be counted among the 10 teams that are going to Qatar from Africa."

As of this year, the U17 FIFA World Cup will be an annual event, with 48 teams participating, and Khumalo says should this Amajimbos team reach that level, it will be a massive achievement.

"I think important for the boys is that it will be a massive achievement for them, just being in the World Cup and being seen by the world, showcasing their talent," he added.

"For me, as a coach, the profile would also be looking good and the experience will be there to say we have been in the World Cup and we have been at AFCON, that augurs well for the development of a coach and a player.

"Important is seeing ourselves reaching our targets – I think I need to reemphasise that it is very important that these boys have this stage and show we can compete among the best.

"If we say we are the best in our country, we need to compete among the best in the world, and the world stage is waiting, so let's see what's going to happen going forward."

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