Mdaka pin hopes in DDC Stars as Under-20 World Cup quest begins

Having the SA Under-20 players playing week in and week out in the DStv Diski Challenge (DDC) gives Amajita coach Raymond Mdaka huge confidence as they begin their quest of qualifying for next year's Fifa World Cup to be held in Chile.

Amajita assembled for camp this past Monday for the highly anticipated COSAFA Under-20 Championships, which takes place in Maputo, Mozambique from 25 September until 5 October 2024.

The South African youngsters are in Group C of the COSAFA Championships and will play their opening match of the tournament on Thursday against Malawi before facing Lesotho on 29 September 2024. Amajita will then tackle Comoros on 1 October 2024, to qualify for the semifinals on 3 October 2024.

Mdaka and his charges need to reach the final of the tournament to book their spot in next year's qualifiers which will be their last hurdle as they will then need to reach the semifinals to qualify for World Cup finals.

The former Marumo Gallants DDC coach is optimistic that they can go all the way and clinch a World Cup spot.

Mdaka explained: “Having them (players) consistently playing is key. We worry less about their fitness levels.

“As we kick off our journey, we want to bring back the trophy home and we are confident we can do that.”

In the role of Diski Challenge coach added: “The reserve league has solved most of the challenges that we have as junior national coaches because week in and week out we can watch the players and monitor their progress.”

“During the squad selection, I had a good headache as to which players to take and which ones to drop because all of them are quality and on the other hand Cosafa - they only want 20 players. But we are happy with our selection as coaches.

Diski Challenge stars such as goalkeeper Takalani Mazhamba, Emile Witbooi, Gomolemo Kekana, Siya Mabena and Mfundo Vilakazi are expected to play a key role.

Amajita failed to qualify for the 2023 Afcon when they succumbed 2-1 to Mozambique in the Cosafa semifinals in Eswatini.

They last qualified for the Junior Africa Cup of Nations in 2019 and they finished in the top three to qualify for the 2019 Fifa World Cup.

Mdaka is hoping of emulating the 2019 group.