By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
23 May 2025 – The South African Football Association (SAFA) said it continues to celebrate the success of the South African men’s national U17 and U20 teams after their recent achievements. The SA U17 men’s national team has qualified for the FIFA U17 World Cup to be held in Qatar from 3–27 November 2025.
Coach Vela Khumalo’s side achieved the feat after they finished as runners-up to Group B winners, Burkina Faso at the CAF U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco in March 2025.
SAFA president, Dr Danny Jordaan said SA U20 men’s national team qualified for the FIFA U20 World Cup to be held in Chile in September 2025, and also made history by winning the U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the first time in Egypt a few days ago.
“We will continue to enjoy this success and will not be distracted by disgruntled former staff members who are attempting to move the spotlight from these teams, with the latest rumbling coming on the very same week that the SA U20 men’s national team returned back home with their AFCON title.
“Coach Khumalo and Mdaka are now concentrating on preparing for their respective World Cup tournaments and we will not be distracted by naysayers,” he said.
The Guardian 