Amajita coach Senong names strong provisional squad for U20 Afcon

19 January 2017 - 19:42 By Tiisetso Malepa
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Phakamani Mahlambi has been named in a strong provisional South Africa squad for the CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations to be held in Zambia next month.

Head coach Thabo Senong on Thursday announced his 31-man party with 20 players coming from four Premier Soccer League clubs - SuperSport United‚ Bidvest Wits Ajax Cape Town and Kaizer Chiefs.

SuperSport dominates the squad with six players followed by Ajax and Wits (both with five players) and Chiefs‚ who contributed as much as four players.

The squad will report for a two-week training camp next week where they will begin their preparations for the 20th edition of the tournament to be held in the capital Lusaka and north-west coal mining city of Ndola from February 26 to March 12.

  • Da Gama, Senong set to follow Mashaba out the exit doorSA under-23 coach Owen da Gama and his under-20 counterpart Thabo Senong are also set to be shown the door after suspended Bafana Bafana mentor Ephraim “Shakes” Mashaba’s expected sacking this week. 

"This is going to be an intensive camp‚ as it is our first phase of preparations for the year. The technical team and I have already begun with our strategies for our group in the U20 Afcon‚” said Senong.

Amajita are drawn in Group B alongside Senegal‚ Sudan and Cameroon while Group will see hosts and Cosafa Cup champions Zambia will battle it out against Egypt‚ Mali and Guinea.

South Africa have already secured a warm-up match against tournament favourites and hosts Zambia. Amajita will be looking for a great confidence against the Baby Chipolopolo on February 8.

"We intend to have a few international friendly matches before we begin the tournament‚ and we are glad to have secured our first international friendly against Zambia.

  • Dolly free to start discussing terms with Montpellier as Sundowns releases himFrench Ligue 1 side Montpellier have activated the release clause of Mamelodi Sundowns winger Keagan Dolly‚ leaving him free to discuss personal terms with the club. 

The match will be played at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium‚ in Ndola and kick-off is scheduled for 8pm SA time.

"We will be using this friendly to build on the momentum of the last year‚ but mainly to adapt to the climate of Ndola‚" said Senong.

The semi finalists of the 20th edition of the tournament will qualify for the 2017 FIFA U20 World Cup to be played in South Korea from May 20 to June 11‚ 2017.

AMAJITA 2017 U20 AFCON fixtures:

27 February 2017 18h00 Cameroon vs South Africa Levy Mwanawasa Stadium‚ Ndola

2 March 2017 18h00 South Africa vs Senega Levy Mwanawasa Stadium‚ Ndola

5 March 2017 15h00 Sudan vs South Africa Heroes Stadium‚ Lusaka

  • 'We are ready to rumble with Senegal,' says Kaizer Chiefs hardman Willard KatsandeZimbabwe captain Williard Katsande has issued a rallying cry to his Warriors team-mates and urged them to stand their ground against tournament favourites Senegal in a potentially explosive African Nations Cup showdown in Gabon on Thursday night. 

First phase squad announcement:

GOALKEEPERS:

Sanele Tshabalala Bidvest Wits FC (SA)

Darren Johnson Ajax Cape Town FC (SA)

Mondli Mpoto Supersport United FC (SA)

DEFENDERS:

Aghmat Ceres Ajax Cape Town FC (SA)

Sirgio Kammies Ajax Cape Town FC (SA)

Reeve Frosler Bidvest Wits FC (SA)

Notha Ngcobo Mamelodi Sundowns FC (SA)

Malebogo Modise Mamelodi Sundowns FC (SA)

Katleho Mohamme Supersport United FC (SA)

Givemore Khupe Bidvest Wits FC (SA)

Shane Saralina Ajax Cape Town FC (SA)

Siyabonga Ngezana Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)

Tercius Malepe Orlando Pirates FC (SA)

  • Key dates for the remainder of the PSL seasonThe decision by the Premier Soccer League to extend the 2016/17 season by three weeks has seen a shuffle of fixtures. 

MIDFIELDERS:

Thabo Cele Real Sporting Clubbe (Portugal)

Wiseman Meyiwa Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)

Sipho Mbule Supersport United FC (SA)

Thabani Zuke Golden Arrows FC (SA)

Teboho Mokoena Supersport United FC (SA)

Katlego Ntshabeleng University Of Johannesburg FC (SA)

Sydney Mtshweni Supersport United FC (SA)

Duncan Apollis Cape Town City FC (SA)

Nkosingiphile Ngcobo Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)

Sibongakonke Mbatha Bidvest Wits FC (SA)

Kobamelo Kodisang Platinum Stars FC (SA)

  • Afcon hosts Gabon looking for vastly improved showingHosts Gabon will be looking for a vastly improved performance at the Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday when they play Burkina Faso in their second Group A game. 

STRIKERS:

Luther Singh Unattached

Liam Jordan Spoting Lisbon FC ( Portugal)

Luyanda Ntshangase Maritzburg United FC (SA)

Menzi Ndwandwe Amazulu FC (SA)

Itumeleng Shopane Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)

Khanyisa Mayo Supersport United (SA)

Phakamani Mahlambi Bidvest Wits FC (SA)

- TMG Digital

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