WILL OPEN in Group D with dangerous countries in the Africa Cup of Nations, the country’s Under-17 boys’ team.
The jimbos were drawn against the team that won the tournament in 2023, Senegal, the 1995 and 1999 champions, Ghana, and Algeria in the event held in Cairo, Egypt, on Wednesday.
The tournament will be held in Morocco from May 13 to June 2.
The Jimbos booked their spot when they won the Cosafa qualifying tournament held in Zimbabwe, in September, last year, defeating Angola 2-1 in the final.
In the recent Under-17 Afcon, which was also held in Morocco, last year, this local team coached by Vela Khumalo, was eliminated by the host 3-1 in the quarterfinals.
The tournament was finally won by Morocco, beating Mali 4-2 after penalty kicks in the match that ended in a 0-0 draw.
The jimbos have never lifted the Afcon trophy. In 2015, they reached the final, where they were defeated by Mali 2-0.
The 10 countries that will advance in this competition will reserve places for the Under-17 World Cup to be held in Qatar, in November this year.
The jimbos have played twice in the World Cup. In 2015, which was in Chile, they came out of the group stage, and in the latest one played in Qatar, last year, they were eliminated by Japan 3-0 in the Last 32.
This year’s Under-17 Afcon squads
Group A: Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Ethiopia
Group B: Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Uganda. Democratic Republic of Congo
Group C: Mali, Angola, Tanzania, Mozambique,
Group D: Senegal, South Africa, Algeria, Ghana