Former Bafana Bafana midfielder Reneilwe Letsholonyane has highlighted his ‘only’ concern about the current SA Under-20 squad.
Letsholonyane is the SA Under-20 assistant coach working alongside coach Raymond Mdaka. Other assistant coaches on the technical team include Donald Mojaki and Karabo Mogudi.
The SA Under-20 recently won the COSAFA Championship held in Mozambique following dominant displays. As a result, Amajita qualified for the Under-20 2025 AFCON finals for the first time since 2020.
In the SA Under-20 team, there are rising youngsters who play their club football in the SA top-flight for big teams. This includes the likes of Mamelodi Sundowns’ Siyabonga Mabena, Kutlwano Letlhaku, and Asekho Tiwani.
Other players include Kaizer Chiefs rising star Mfundo Vilakazi, Jody Ah Shene and Witbooi Emile of Cape Town City FC. Shandre Campbell is currently playing in Belgium with Club NXT.
RENEILWE LETSHOLONYANE IS WORRIED ABOUT CONTINUITY WHEN THE UNDER-20s GRADUATE TO UNDER-23s
Letsholonyane is concerned about continuity for the Under-20s when they graduate to the Under-23s. The SA Under-23s have not been in action and have been without a coach since March 2023. David Notoane resigned from his post after the team failed to qualify for the 2023 AFCON finals that were held in Morocco.
Jwaneng Galaxy coach Morena Ramoreboli was considered to take the Under-23s coaching job. However, he was recently appointed the Botswana senior national team interim coach.
“We don’t know what’s happening with the Under-23s at the moment [they don’t have a coach, and they’re not playing matches]; that’s a concern,” Letsholonyane told FARPost.
“But that’s one is not our responsibility. I’m sure the Technical Director [Walter Steenbok] and the others are planning something and soon they will outline it.
“There is so much talent in the Under-20s that we’re guiding; that’s our responsibility. Hopefully, when they move to the next stage [Under-23s] of their careers, there will be continuity and some activity.”
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