The South African Football Association (SAFA), together with Bafana Bafana and Amajita sponsor HONOR, hosted a send-off celebration for the national U20 men’s team in Johannesburg on Monday night.
The event honoured Amajita’s impressive achievements in 2025, winning the COSAFA U20 Cup, lifting the CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, and securing qualification for the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile.
Among the dignitaries in attendance were Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie, SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan, SAFA CEO Lydia Monyepao, NEC member and Head of Delegation Solomon Makhubela, as well as HONOR CEO Fred Zhou.
On behalf of President Cyril Ramaphosa, Minister McKenzie handed the national flag to captain Asekho Tiwani, urging the team to return home victorious.
“I believe in you, I believe in every one of you. On behalf of my President, the Honorable Cyril Ramaphosa, I want to say there’s no doubt that you’re going to come back with the cup. Captain, lead us to victory,” he said.
Dr Jordaan reminded the players that they will travel to Chile as African champions, having beaten Nigeria and Morocco en route to the continental crown.
“This is the first time that an U20 team goes to a FIFA World Cup as champions of Africa, the best football team on the continent. You must get out of the group and once you do, all the options are in front of you,” he encouraged.
For sponsor HONOR, the partnership with Amajita represents an investment in the future of South African football. Zhou praised the team’s success and the inspiration they bring to young fans.
“Amajita represent the youth, and this was clear when we were at the Mall of Africa with young children wanting photographs with the players – the team has delivered by giving hope and uniting everyone,” said Zhou.
South Africa have been drawn in Group E alongside France, the United States, and debutants New Caledonia. Head coach Raymond Mdaka assured supporters that the squad is ready for the challenge.
“We know the magnitude of the assignment, and we are taking nothing for granted. It will not be easy, but this team has character and we will fight with everything we have. We promise to do the country proud,” Mdaka said.
This will be Amajita’s fifth appearance at the FIFA U20 Men’s World Cup, having previously featured in 1997, 2009, 2017 and 2019.