Soccer
Amajita target U20 World Cup quarter-finals in Chile─── MORGAN PIEK 13:36 Wed, 08 Oct 2025
The South African men’s U20 football team, Amajita, will be aiming to make history on Wednesday when they face Colombia in the Round of 16 at the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile.
On Sunday, the U20 AFCON champions stunned the much-fancied USA 2–1 to reach the knockout stages for the first time. In addition to progressing to the next round, South Africa also managed to win more than one game at the tournament for the first time.
While South Africa managed to beat the USA, they still finished second in Group E behind the Americans on goal difference.
"We are capable of doing it, and we can do it again" - Amajita's Thato Sibiya pic.twitter.com/lr31Qq5XNb
— SAFA.net (@SAFA_net) October 7, 2025
Colombia, in turn, also finished second in a strong Group F behind Norway, while they had to contend with Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.
The winner between South Africa and Colombia will face an even sterner test in the quarter-finals, where Spain awaits after edging Ukraine 1–0.
The Amajita coach, Raymond Mdaka, formerly of Marumo Gallants, warned the Colombians are a wily side and his team will need to play smart football if they are to venture where they have never gone before.
Coach Raymond Mdaka on his gallant Amajita charges pic.twitter.com/LOOjjhsCKa
— SAFA.net (@SAFA_net) October 7, 2025
“We’ve been watching Colombia since we knew we were playing them,” said Mdaka.
“They are a smart team – very disciplined in terms of their system and formation – but like any other side, there are areas we believe we can exploit.
“They don’t concede much if you look at their record, and although they leave some spaces we can explore, defensively they’re very organised.”
Gomolemo Kekana during the 2-1 defeat against France. Photo: Mamelodi Sundowns
He said the Colombians will be unlike any team they’ve faced so far, and his players must not shy away from adapting to the situation as it unfolds on the pitch.
“Their style of play will be a bit different, but one thing we’re fighting for and improving at is how quickly we adapt to different playing styles from teams coming from various football cultures.
“We believe we have players with the character and adaptability to take us to the next level.”
Wednesday night’s Round of 16 clash between South Africa and Colombia at the Estadio Fiscal de Talca in Talca will kick off at 21:30.
OFM Sport/Morgan Piek
