Amajita head coach Raymond Mdaka has named his preliminary U20 squad for this month’s COSAFA Cup, with a strong contingent of young talent drawn from Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns.
Goalkeepers
Fletcher Smythe-Lowe (Estoril Praia SAD, Portugal), Takalani Mazhamba (Kaizer Chiefs FC) and Lwandiso Radebe (Mamelodi Sundowns FC) make up the goalkeeping options.
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Defenders
Mdaka’s defensive picks include Ukhonaye Magele (University of Johannesburg FC), Egan Freese (Kaizer Chiefs FC), Sanele Simelane (Richards Bay FC), Tebogo Lekhatla (Amatuks), Lakham Gqonqo (TS Galaxy FC), Cayden Fortune (Cape Town City FC), Milimo Nalumango (Orlando Pirates FC), Matthew Palmer (NK Slaven Belupo, Croatia), Rafael Costa Da Silva (Stellenbosch FC) and Zazi Qotoyi (Mamelodi Sundowns FC).
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Midfielders
A sizeable midfield group features Lazola Mako (unattached), Teboho Mlangeni (Kaizer Chiefs FC), Viwe Fetsha (Orlando Pirates FC), Kgomotso Madiba (Fluminense, Brazil), Bennet Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns FC), Manelisi Mazibuko (Siwelele FC), Emile Witbooi (Cape Town City FC), Oarabile Booysen (Mamelodi Sundowns FC), Lehlohonolo Mahlangu (Mamelodi Sundowns FC), Mpho Phadime (Orlando Pirates FC), Steve Mendez (Kaizer Chiefs FC), Aphelele Nzimande (Orlando Pirates FC), Choene Moabelo (Amatuks) and Kamogelo Mareletse (Mamelodi Sundowns FC).
Forwards
Thandanani Mhlongo (AmaZulu FC), Joshua Taylor (Cape Town City FC), Omphemetse Gaorekwe (Orbit College) and Angus Moss (Mamelodi Sundowns FC) round out the forward line.
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The squad blends home-based talent from the Betway Premiership with several foreign-based prospects, including Smythe-Lowe in Portugal, Palmer in Croatia and Madiba in Brazil, as Mdaka prepares his group for the tournament ahead.
Photo: Ugbodaga Irabor Kennedy/Gallo Images
