Amajita coach Mdaka banking on team chemistry ahead of FIFA U-20 World Cup

Reigning African champions South Africa are finalising their preparations for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, where they will proudly represent the continent alongside Egypt and Morocco.

Coach Raymond Mdaka believes the strong chemistry within his squad will be key as Amajita prepare to face some of the world’s best young teams.

Drawn in Group E, South Africa will come up against the USA, New Caledonia and European giants France.

For Mdaka, who has overseen a demanding selection process, the tournament offers his players the chance to showcase both their individual progress and their collective growth since being crowned U-20 African champions earlier this year.

Reflecting on the recent training camp, the coach admitted that narrowing down the final squad was a difficult task.

“Yes, it was a very good camp, honestly. A lot of headaches where we had all these players, about 30 players, and then trying to come up with 21. Very, very difficult. But the fact that we’ve been with the players for so long, that’s one thing that helped us to be able to come up with the final list.”

Mdaka explained that continuity and development were at the heart of his squad selection.

“The final list, if you look at it, consists of about 80% of the players who have been through the programmes since we started our preparations, through COSAFA and the U-20 AFCON. We are happy because these players have even graduated here. They are first-team players, most of them. And not only having graduated to the first team, but at the same time, most of them are getting minutes in their first teams, which helps because, you know, with the national team, you only have them sometimes maybe for a week or so.”

The team departs for Chile on Wednesday, 24 September, carrying the hopes of a nation and the pride of Africa.

Their continental counterparts face equally challenging paths: Morocco have been placed in a demanding Group C alongside Brazil, Mexico and Spain, while Egypt will battle hosts Chile, New Zealand and Japan in Group A.

With a core group of players who have already shown maturity beyond their years, South Africa aim to extend their continental success onto the global stage.

For Mdaka and his charges, the FIFA U-20 World Cup represents not just competition, but an opportunity to affirm Africa’s rising talent in world football.

The FIFA U-20 World Cup takes place between 27 September – 20 October 2025.