South Africa is entering a Golden Era as they prepare to participate in the 2025 AFCON and 2026 World Cup after a long barren spell of failures and disappointments. With Banyana Banyana and Amajita winning silverware, and Amajimbos showing promise and the PSL title race tightening up, it's easy to get excited about local soccer right now.
The Buccaneers defender has received continental recognition and could be named as Africa's best in the category he has been named in. It is testimony of how he has been improving, with seen steady growth as he carves out his name with standout performances and that has not gone unnoticed.
Lionel Messi proved his class once again when sending a heartfelt message to Argentina’s promising youngsters after seeing them suffer an agonising defeat to Morocco in the FIFA U20 World Cup final. The Albiceleste are the current holders of the global crown at senior level and had been hoping to capture another in the youth ranks. Messi has offered his support after seeing that dream crushed in dramatic fashion.
FIFA is rolling out a brand new VAR challenge initiative that gives managers the power to use purple and blue cards during matches to request a decision review from the referee, but it threatens to lead to even more frustrating delays. The cards are currently being tested at the 2025 Under-20 World Cup in Chile and in other smaller-scale tournaments and leagues.
The 19-year-old midfielder continues to rise after showcasing his skills on the global stage. But focus is on him to see if he can establish himself as a big name in South African football, the way the Orlando Pirates duo of Relebohile Mofokeng and Mohau Nkota did.
Elyaz Zidane, son of French football icon Zinedine Zidane, is emerging as one of the brightest revelations of the U-20 World Cup in Chile. Playing at the heart of France’s defence, the 19-year-old has logged the most minutes in Bernard Diomede’s side, displaying composure and maturity that go beyond his age and the immense weight of his surname.
The United States made a deep run into the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup, but that came to a halt in the quarterfinals - their fifth tournament in a row reaching that round - as Morocco won 3-1 on Sunday. Despite Cole Campbell's first-half equalizer, Morocco advanced to the semifinals with a second-half own goal from Joshua Wynder and a late counterattack strike.
Former USMNT star Alexi Lalas has tempered expectations after the United States’ impressive 3-0 victory over Italy in the Round of 16 at the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup. Lalas acknowledged the achievement but emphasized that American youth teams have reached similar stages before. The U.S. secured their fifth straight trip the quarterfinals.
The U.S. U20 men’s national team had a commanding performance on Thursday, defeating Italy 3-0 to advance to the quarterfinals of the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile. Parma midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi extended his strong scoring form at the tournament with a brace, while San Jose Earthquakes’ Niko Tsakiris added a brilliant free kick.
The 19-year-old was one of the best-performing South Africa players in Chile as he seemed to be sending a message to his Amakhosi coaches. He might have succeeded in proving that he can be on top of his game in another environment. Now, a former coach of the Soweto giants who gave the player his breakthrough wants him to play more at club level.
Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre believes Tijuana's rising star Gilberto Mora needs a new challenge abroad. After the 16-year-old’s standout performances for club and country, Aguirre urged him to “push into a different environment” by joining a European team competing in the Champions League, Europa League or Conference League.
As our SA U20 side prepare to make World Cup history, we take a look at the difficult history of what came before, and the incredible talent that turned the team's fortunes around so much so they stand on the cusp of a quarterfinal at the global showpiece.
Despite losing their group opening game, South Africa rose from what looked like their ruins to register back-to-back victories and reach the knockout stage. The African champions also scored eight goals and only conceded three, showing how resilient they have been in the global showpiece.
Amajita reached the knockout phase of the global tournament for the second time following their win over the Young Stars and Stripes. First-half goals were enough to earn the Southern African side the win.
The U.S. under-20 men's national team finished atop their group at the World Cup despite a 2-1 loss to South Africa in Sunday's group stage finale. Even with the defeat, the U.S. finished as group winners due to the favorable goal differential generated from their dominant opening win against New Caledonia - a 9-1 rout.
South Africa registered their biggest win at the tournament by outclassing their group rivals. However, head coach Raymond Mdaka said although the game was not an easy affair, Amajita should have scored more goals.
Chelsea are pursuing the signature of Nigerian wonderkid Abduljelil Kamaldeen. The 16-year-old is currently representing his country at the U20 World Cup in Chile. Kamaldeen flashed his potential during a brief cameo in the Flying Eagles' 1-0 defeat against Norway on Monday; he is expected to start in Nigeria's next group stage game against Saudi Arabia tomorrow.
The Europeans secured the slim win over the African representatives courtesy of a late second-half goal in a game that was also characterised by a number of missed chances. Amajita's focus now shifts to the next match, where they will face the tournament's debutants in search of their first win in this year's edition.
Benjamin Cremaschi wasted no time stamping his authority on the U20 World Cup opener in Chile, as the U.S. routed New Caledonia 9-1 on Monday. The Parma midfielder struck twice inside the opening minutes to put Marko Mitrović’s team firmly in control, later completing a hat-trick. Niko Tsakiris opened up the scoring in the seventh minute for the U.S.
There are several notable names on coach Marko Mitrović's U.S. men's national team roster for the 2025 U20 World Cup in Chile, announced Friday by the federation. Former Inter Miami midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi, now with Parma on loan, leads a squad that features several rising MLS stars, along with Dortmund's highly-touted prospect, Cole Campbell.
Raymond Mdaka will be hoping the absence of his two key players will not be felt and his team will manage without them just as they did when they lifted the 2025 Africa Under-20 Cup of Nations. However, the two's exclusion shows how they have improved to be considered as having grown to be above the youth football tournament.
The Sea Robber has been a sensation both for the club and the national team because of his consistency and work rate. However, he has been overlooked by the Amajita head coach, who did not include him in his U20 World Cup squad.
The Bafana-eligible star completed the move on the transfer deadline day as his new club pegs their hope on his ability to improve their attacking department.
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