After his side failled to secure their ticket on the upcoming U17 AFCON that will take place next year, Amajimbos coach Vela Khumalo was left heart broken.
The Amajimbos suffered 2-1 defeat by Zambia in the semi-finals of the COSAFA qualifiers in Johannesburg.
That defeat Coasted them opportunity to be part of the nations that will taking part at prestigious tournament in Ivory Coast next year.
Nations that reaches finalis of the regional tournament secure a spot in the AFCON, which also serves as a qualifier for the FIFA U17 World Cup.
Zambia and Angola are the two teams that have earned their place, with the two sides set to meet on Friday for the COSAFA Cup final.
This marks the second consecutive time South Africa has failed to qualify for the continental event, with the 2020 edition also being disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Khumalo reflected on the painful nature of the loss, noting that he had been hopeful his team would qualify this time.
He recalled his previous stint coaching the U17 team, where they had been on track to qualify for the 2020 AFCON before the pandemic halted their plans.
Khumalo said “It’s painful. It’s very painful. I remember when we played Zambia the last time, I was coaching U17, and we won the game.
“We were supposed to go to AFCON, but then COVID happened. Now we’re here again, hoping for qualification, and this is how we lose. It’s not nice, a bitter pill to swallow, but what can we do? It’s football.”
Even though his troops failed to reach the final of COSAFA Cup U17, Khumalo said he is proud about his players and he would like to see them represent RSA U20 and U23.
Khumalo said “If we can keep these boys and grow them even better, I think we’ll see most of them playing U23, most of them playing in Bafana Bafana in the future.
“The future is looking bright considering how we play, the style of play, and the philosophy that SAFA is instilling in these boys.”
BY LUCKY SEANEGO
