Financial challenges facing the South African Football Association (SAFA) are raising concerns over the country’s preparations for the Under-17 World Cup in Qatar, set to kick off in two weeks.
The SA Under-17 national team, the Amajimbos, only assembled in Johannesburg on Sunday, leaving just two weeks to prepare for their opening match against Bolivia on November 3. Their preparations have been limited, with few warm-up matches or training camps.
The team earned their World Cup spot by reaching the quarterfinals of the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco earlier this year. However, a lack of adequate preparation echoes the struggles faced by the men’s Under-20 national team, who went to this year’s World Cup in Chile without proper training.
Former Supersport United and Bidvest Wits midfielder Mark Haskins criticised the rushed preparations. “This is not just some fly-by-night Mickey Mouse tournament that we are going into. It’s a World Cup, and we are not treating it like it is the World Cup. For these boys, it’s literally a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. They want to show themselves in the best way possible, but unfortunately, what preparation?” Haskins said.
With limited time to train, concerns are growing over how the Amajimbos will fare on football’s global stage.
–ChannelAfrica–
