South Africa’s Under-20 national team, Amajita, has come within touching distance of knowing their fate at the Under-20 World Cup.
Amajita will take aim at putting in their best performance at the global competition after lifting their first continental title just over a week ago.
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FIFA has now confirmed that the draw for the 2025 FIFA Under-20 World Cup is to be held in Santiago, Chile on Thursday May 29.
The tournament will take place from September 27 to October 19 this year in Chile.
There are 24 countries that have qualified and minus host nation Chile, the rest have been seeded based on their results in the last five Under-20 World Cups.
The more recent editions carry more weight while all continental champions – who include Amajita, have been handed five bonus points.
Those bonus points have taken Amajita into Pot 3 along with Japan, Spain, Australia, Panama, and Norway.
Besides Chile, Pot 1 will have 2023 runners-up Italy, United States of America, South Korea, Brazil, and Colombia.
Then Pot 2 features New Zealand, France, Ukraine, Argentina, Nigeria, and Mexico.
Pot 4 has Saudi Arabia, Paraguay, Egypt, Cuba, Morocco, and New Caledonia.
Amajita’s best draw could be to be in a group with the two Oceania representatives New Caledonia and New Zealand plus another opponent two from Pot 1.
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This will be Amajita’s fifth appearance at the World Cup with their best showing having been a last 16 finish at the 2009 competition in Egypt.
That squad had Darren Keet, Thulani Hlatshwayo, Ramahlwe Mphahlele, Kamohelo Mokotjo, Thulani Serero, Mandla Masango, Andile Jali, Kermit Erasmus, Dino Ndlovu, and George Maluleka amongst others.
