Mdaka credits consistency as Amajita retain COSAFA U20 crown

Amajita coach Raymond Mdaka says consistency was the key to South Africa’s successful defence of the 2026 COSAFA U20 title after a 2-1 victory over hosts Mozambique in Sunday’s final in Matola.

The result secured a second successive regional championship for Amajita, who also won the tournament last year.

Their run to the final has earned South Africa qualification for the 2027 CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations, alongside the Mambinhas. Ghana will host the continental competition, where Amajita will have the opportunity to defend the title they currently hold.

South Africa completed the tournament with a perfect record, winning all five of their matches in Mozambique. They scored 13 goals and conceded only three.

Steven Mendes finished as the competition’s leading scorer with six goals, while goalkeeper Takalani Mazhamba was named Goalkeeper of the Tournament.

Mdaka said the success reflected the strength of the talent available at junior level in South Africa, while warning that maintaining such standards would require sustained work.

“You need consistency of some kind,” Mdaka was quoted as saying by Safa.net.

“And yes, it will not be easy but sometimes when you win you need to maintain that consistency of winning, winning and winning. It says to the country that you have got the talent, when given time and the opportunity to prepare, we can do better.”

The coach also compared the current squad favourably with the group selected for the previous edition, saying the team had benefited from the chance to develop further.

“It’s a blessing to have this kind of talented players. Even in the previous edition, honestly, we had very good players and I’m happy we have got an opportunity now to make a better team compared to the one that we came with here.”

Retaining the trophy had particular significance for Mdaka, who praised the players and supporters for their contribution throughout the tournament.

“But keeping the trophy, taking it back home where it was for the whole season is something else and I really appreciate and give credit to the boys and every supporter who gave us energy almost every day.”