TotalEnergies CAF U-17 AFCON Morocco 2026: Khumalo backs balanced South Africa squad to impress in Morocco

South Africa U-17 head coach Vela Khumalo believes Amajimbos are well equipped to challenge for a place at the FIFA U-17 World Cup when they compete at the ongoing TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026.

Khumalo says the squad at the showpiece has been carefully balanced with experience and emerging talent following their triumph at the COSAFA U-17 Men’s Championship.

“This is the same team that played COSAFA U17 and won it. We have added a few players, about four, to beef up the team that we had before and also to rotate them,” said Khumalo.

“Remember the AFCON is an annual tournament and you bring in the younger ones too, and we also have some that went to the World Cup last year, so this is to balance the team as we are aware that there is again the COSAFA coming up later this year which is important for us in ongoing talent development.”

Amajimbos face a stern test in Group D where they have been drawn against defending champions Senegal, Ghana and Algeria in what promises to be one of the tournament’s most competitive pools.

The South Africans kicked off their campaign with an impressive 2-1 come from behind win over Senegal.

Khumalo is confident that his side can progress to the knockout stages and secure one of the 10 World Cup qualification spots available for the tournament in Qatar.

The South African mentor further revealed that qualification for the global showpiece is only part of the team’s ambitions, with Amajimbos determined to make a lasting impression on the continental stage.

“We have given ourselves a mandate that we want to do well and qualify for the World Cup. In addition, we said that going to the World Cup is not about getting out of the group stages, but we also want to see ourselves going further in the tournament.”

The TotalEnergies CAF U-17 AFCON Morocco 2026 is underway, with all matches live on CAF’s official YouTube channel, CAF TV.