Mdaka names final Amajita squad as Chiefs stars feature in COSAFA title defence

South Africa Under-20 coach Raymond Mdaka has confirmed his final 23-player squad for the 2026 COSAFA U20 Men’s Cup in Mozambique.

The defending champions will compete in the regional tournament from 18-27 September, aiming to retain their title and earn a place at the 2027 U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana.

Mdaka reduced the group from 31 players following a training camp that began in Johannesburg on 8 September. The final squad includes a number of Chiefs stars as South Africa prepare for their title defence.

Amajita begin their Group B campaign against Lesotho on Saturday, 19 September. They will then face Angola on 21 September before completing the group stage against Eswatini on 23 September.

Cape Town City players Emille Witbooi and Cayden Fortune will not be available for the opening match because of club commitments. The pair are expected to join the national squad on Sunday.

Lazola Maku, who previously played for the South Africa Under-17 side, has been selected as captain. Goalkeeper Takalani Mazhamba will serve as vice-captain.

The COSAFA tournament also carries significant qualification consequences. The top two teams will progress to the 2027 U20 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be hosted by Ghana.

At that continental tournament, the four semi-finalists will secure qualification for the 2027 FIFA U20 World Cup in Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan.

South Africa will therefore be attempting to defend their regional crown while also progressing through the qualification route towards the continental and global tournaments.