U-17 AFCON: Khumalo reflects on Amajimbos' loss to Morocco

South Africa U17 national side coach Vela Khumalo stated that his charges lacked the attacking edge when they faced Morocco in the 2025 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations. The Amajimbos lost 3-1 to the hosts in the quarterfinal on Thursday.

Khumalo noted that his team struggled to create chances and outlined a poor display in the attacking department. “What was missing in the team was the aggression and the ability to convert the chances we created. Even though we did not create that many, we wanted to be more lethal up front. We did not reach that level.”

South Africa were poor up front as Morocco struck three times to win the game. Khumalo acknowledged that the hosts are a strong opponent. “Before the game, we were more than ready and felt that we were going to steal it from Morocco. But as I indicated earlier, they have a well-structured team. The Moroccan team is a good team.”

Khumalo added that he will try to find young and talented South Africans who are plying their trade in Europe so that the team can gain more experienced players. He said Morocco’s European-based players helped make their team more lethal and experienced.

However, the good news is that South Africa will participate in the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar, only their second appearance at the competition. Their other appearance came in 2015 after finishing as runners-up at the U-17 AFCON, where they bowed out at the group stage in Chile.