Amajita's AFCON U20 win shines light on grassroots initiatives

JOHANNESBURG - South Africa’s victory in the TotalEnergies Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) shines a light on the impact of grassroots initiatives.

For the past decade, the DStv Diski Challenge (DDC) has been a platform for youngsters to showcase their talent, providing a competitive space for young players to hone their skills and gain crucial exposure.

This nurturing of talent from the ground up is evident after both the SA U17s & U20s qualified for their respective World Cups. And Amajita is dominated by players who are playing in the DDC made history on Sunday night as they won the Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations for the very first time.

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This includes Gomolemo Kekana, who netted the winning goal, and Tylon Smit,h who walked away with the player of the tournament award.

“We are incredibly proud of Amajita. This remarkable achievement underscores the impact that grassroots development initiatives, such as our DStv Diski Challenge, play in unearthing and nurturing exceptional football talent. With 18 of the players competing regularly in the Reserve League, the DDC has served as a crucial platform, providing young players with the competitive environment and exposure necessary to reach their full potential,” said Rendani Ramovha, CEO of SuperSport.

South Africa’s Under-20 head coach Raymond Mdaka also credited the DSTV Diski Challenge for playing an important role in football development in South Africa.

“I salute the DDC because it made it easy for us to be able to see players weekend over weekend going to different places, seeing them and also following them the country is so big, if it wasn’t for the DDC we weren’t going to be able to see them. You couldn’t drive maybe to have follow ups but through the DDC we were able to do that. We salute and we say they have done a good job for the country,” said Mdaka.

Amajita have followed in the footsteps of Bafana Bafana’s in 1996 and Banyana Banyana’s in 2022 teams, in scooping the continental title.

Players that feature for teams in the Diski Challenge who formed this year’s AFCON are:
 
Goalkeepers
Takalani Mazhamba – Kaizer Chiefs
Kgoleng Ratisani – Sekhukhune United
 
 
Defenders
Asekho Tiwani – Mamelodi Sundowns
Gopolang Taunyane – Kaizer Chiefs
Tylon Smith – Stellenbosch FC
Neo Rapoo – SuperSport United
Siviwe Nkwali – Cape Town Spurs
Sifiso Timba – Kaizer Chiefs
 
Midfielders
Gomolemo Kekana – Mamelodi Sundowns
Patrick Autata – Cape Town City FC
Lazola Maku – SuperSport United
Mfundo Vilakazi – Kaizer Chiefs
Faiz Abrahams – Stellenbosch FC
Langelihle Phili – Stellenbosch FC
Shakeel April – Cape Town City FC
Kutlwano Letlhaku – Mamelodi Sundowns
 
Strikers
Jodh Ah Shene – Cape Town City FC
Thabang Mahlangu – SuperSport United
 
Coach
Raymond Madaka (Head coach)