Limpopo-born coach Mdaka leads Amajita to AFCON victory

Raymond Mdaka from Tzaneen in Limpopo led the South Africa U20 side [Amajita] to the 2025 AFCON U-20 tournament title after beating Morocco 1-0 at Cairo International Stadium on Sunday night.

It is a historic moment for Amajita, who avenged the 1-0 defeat suffered against the same opponents in the 1997 AFCON final.

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Amajita will now represent Africa at the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile later this year due to them being U-20 AFCON champions. The victory came via a goal by Zebediela-born star, Gomolemo Kekana.

Born in 2006, Kekana has been a key player in the Amajita squad, having graduated from Amajimbos [U17].

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Meanwhile, the MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture in Limpopo Jerry Maseko, has also congratulated Mdaka and his team for the triumph.

“On behalf of the Limpopo Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, I extend my warmest congratulations to Amajita, the South African U20 national team, on their historic win in the AFCON U20 tournament. This remarkable achievement is a testament to the team’s dedication, perseverance and exceptional talent,” said MEC Maseko

“I also want to acknowledge the outstanding leadership and coaching skills of Coach Raymond Mdaka, who has played a pivotal role in shaping this team into champions. Your guidance and expertise have been instrumental in their success”

“As the team returns to South Africa, I commit to welcoming them at OR Tambo International Airport as a sign of honour and appreciation for their incredible achievement. This momentous occasion marks a significant milestone in South African football history, and we are proud to celebrate their victory.”

The team’s road to the final included victories over DR Congo in the quarterfinals and Nigeria in the semifinals, underscoring a strong campaign.