South Africa national under-20 football team
Encyclopedia
The South Africa national under-20 football team, is a youth football (soccer) team, which represents South Africa
and is controlled by the South African Football Association
, the governing body for football in South Africa. The team's main objectives are to qualify and play at the African Youth Championship
and FIFA U-20 World Cup
. The team has played at four African Youth Championships and two FIFA U-20 World Cups.
decided to form an under-20 team. The team's greatest achievements to date include a second place finish at the 1997 African Youth Championship, hosted in Morocco
and qualifying for the 1997
and 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cups
in Malaysia and Egypt
.
being held in Colombia
in 2011
, players need to born on or after 1 January 1991.
Upcoming matches
to be held in South Africa
from 17 April.
:
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
and is controlled by the South African Football Association
South African Football Association
The South African Football Association or SAFA is the governing body of football in South Africa.-History:The South African Football Association was founded on 8 December, 1991, the culmination of a long unity process that was to rid the sport in South Africa of all its past racial division.Four...
, the governing body for football in South Africa. The team's main objectives are to qualify and play at the African Youth Championship
African Youth Championship
The African Youth Championship is the main international youth football competition for CAF nations, and is competed for by under 20 year olds...
and FIFA U-20 World Cup
FIFA U-20 World Cup
The FIFA U-20 World Cup, until 2005 known as the FIFA World Youth Championship, is the world championship of football for male players under the age of 20 and is organized by Fédération Internationale de Football Association...
. The team has played at four African Youth Championships and two FIFA U-20 World Cups.
History
The team was started in 1993, when SAFASouth African Football Association
The South African Football Association or SAFA is the governing body of football in South Africa.-History:The South African Football Association was founded on 8 December, 1991, the culmination of a long unity process that was to rid the sport in South Africa of all its past racial division.Four...
decided to form an under-20 team. The team's greatest achievements to date include a second place finish at the 1997 African Youth Championship, hosted in Morocco
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
and qualifying for the 1997
1997 FIFA World Youth Championship
The 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship was the 11th staging of the FIFA World Youth Championship. It was held from June 16 to July 5, 1997 in Malaysia.-Venues:-Qualification:The following 24 teams qualified for the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship...
and 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cups
2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup
The 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup, was the 17th U-20 tournament, which was hosted by Egypt from 24 September to 16 October, in the cities of Cairo, Alexandria, Port Said, Suez and Ismaïlia...
in Malaysia and Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
.
Player eligiblity
Players who are selected, will be 20 or younger in the following World Cup year. With the next FIFA U-20 World CupFIFA U-20 World Cup
The FIFA U-20 World Cup, until 2005 known as the FIFA World Youth Championship, is the world championship of football for male players under the age of 20 and is organized by Fédération Internationale de Football Association...
being held in Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
in 2011
2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup
The 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup was the eighteenth edition of the FIFA U-20 World Cup since its inception in 1977 as the FIFA World Youth Championship. Colombia hosted the tournament between 29 July and 20 August 2011, with matches being played in eight cities...
, players need to born on or after 1 January 1991.
Recent and future matches
Recent results| Date | Team | Result | Score | Type | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 April 2011 | L | 0-1 | 2011 African Youth Championship |  Dobsonville StadiumDobsonville Stadium Dobsonville Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Soweto, a suburb of Johannesburg, South Africa. It is mostly used for football matches, but is also equipped with an athletics track. It is the home ground of Moroka Swallows, a football club which plays in the Premier Soccer League... , Johannesburg Johannesburg Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa... , South Africa South Africa The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans... |
|
| 20 April 2011 | W | 2-1 | 2011 African Youth Championship | Dobsonville Stadium Dobsonville Stadium Dobsonville Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Soweto, a suburb of Johannesburg, South Africa. It is mostly used for football matches, but is also equipped with an athletics track. It is the home ground of Moroka Swallows, a football club which plays in the Premier Soccer League... , Johannesburg Johannesburg Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa... , South Africa South Africa The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans... |
|
| 17 April 2011 | L | 2-4 | 2011 African Youth Championship | Dobsonville Stadium Dobsonville Stadium Dobsonville Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Soweto, a suburb of Johannesburg, South Africa. It is mostly used for football matches, but is also equipped with an athletics track. It is the home ground of Moroka Swallows, a football club which plays in the Premier Soccer League... , Johannesburg Johannesburg Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa... , South Africa South Africa The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans... |
|
| 13 April 2011 | W | 2–0 | International Friendly Exhibition game An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition... |
Eldorado Park, Johannesburg Johannesburg Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa... , South Africa South Africa The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans... |
|
| 10 April 2011 | W | 3–2 | International Friendly Exhibition game An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition... |
Lucas Moripe Stadium Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium Lucas 'Masterpieces' Moripe Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located in Atteridgeville, a suburb of Pretoria, South Africa. It is currently used mostly for football matches and serves as part-time home stadium of Premier Soccer League clubs Supersport United and Mamelodi Sundowns who also use the... , Atteridgeville Atteridgeville Atteridgeville, part of the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, is a township located on the west of Pretoria, South Africa. It is bordered to the west by Saulsville, to the east by Proclamation Hill; to the south by Laudium and to the north by Lotus Gardens.-History:Atteridgeville was... , South Africa South Africa The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans... |
Upcoming matches
| Date | Team | Result | Score | Type | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 November 2011 | International Friendly Exhibition game An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition... |
Kroonstad Kroonstad Kroonstad is the third-largest town in the Free State province of South Africa, and lies two hours drive from Gauteng. In the 1991 census it had a population of 110,963... , South Africa South Africa The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans... |
|||
| 12 November 2011 | International Friendly Exhibition game An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition... |
 GaboroneGaborone ' is the capital and largest city of Botswana with a population of 191,776 based on a 2006 survey, about 10% of the total population of Botswana.... , Botswana Botswana Botswana, officially the Republic of Botswana , is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa. The citizens are referred to as "Batswana" . Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name after becoming independent within the Commonwealth on 30 September 1966... |
|||
| 2 December 2011 | 2011 COSAFA U-20 Cup | University of Botswana Stadium University of Botswana Stadium University of Botswana Stadium is a multi-use stadium in Gaborone, Botswana. It is used mostly for football matches and serves as the home stadium of Uniao Flamengo Santos F.C.. The stadium holds 8,500 people.... , Gaborone Gaborone ' is the capital and largest city of Botswana with a population of 191,776 based on a 2006 survey, about 10% of the total population of Botswana.... , Botswana Botswana Botswana, officially the Republic of Botswana , is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa. The citizens are referred to as "Batswana" . Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name after becoming independent within the Commonwealth on 30 September 1966... |
|||
| 4 December 2011 | 2011 COSAFA U-20 Cup | Molepolole Stadium Molepolole Stadium The Molepolole Stadium is a multi-use sports stadium in Molepolole, Botswana.The pitch surface is artificial and it had to be relaid in 2008 at FIFA's request.In 2010, it was chosen as one of two host stadiums for the COSAFA Under-20 Challenge.... , Molepolole Molepolole Molepolole is Botswana's biggest village. It lies in the south east of the county. The people who reside in Molepolole are the Bakwena, who are one of the eight major tribes in Botswana. The Bakwena chief was among the three chiefs who went to England to seek protection from the British in the... , Botswana Botswana Botswana, officially the Republic of Botswana , is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa. The citizens are referred to as "Batswana" . Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name after becoming independent within the Commonwealth on 30 September 1966... |
|||
| 6 December 2011 | 2011 COSAFA U-20 Cup | Molepolole Stadium Molepolole Stadium The Molepolole Stadium is a multi-use sports stadium in Molepolole, Botswana.The pitch surface is artificial and it had to be relaid in 2008 at FIFA's request.In 2010, it was chosen as one of two host stadiums for the COSAFA Under-20 Challenge.... , Molepolole Molepolole Molepolole is Botswana's biggest village. It lies in the south east of the county. The people who reside in Molepolole are the Bakwena, who are one of the eight major tribes in Botswana. The Bakwena chief was among the three chiefs who went to England to seek protection from the British in the... , Botswana Botswana Botswana, officially the Republic of Botswana , is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa. The citizens are referred to as "Batswana" . Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name after becoming independent within the Commonwealth on 30 September 1966... |
Current squad
A 21 man squad has been selected for a 2011 African Youth Championship2011 African Youth Championship
The 2011 African Youth Championship was a football tournament for the Under-20 level national teams in Africa. It was due to be held in Libya from 18 March to 1 April...
to be held in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
from 17 April.
Notable former players
Players who have previously played for the under-20 team, and have since gone on to play for the senior teamSouth Africa national football team
The South Africa national football team represents South Africa in association football and is controlled by the South African Football Association, the governing body for football in South Africa. South Africa's home ground is Soccer City, known as FNB Stadium due to a naming rights deal, in...
:
- Junaid HartleyJunaid Hartley- Career :A midfielder, Junaid Hartley was a former player for Sarawak FA in the Malaysian League, Junaid was known for his hard-working style and highly consistent performances.- International :...
- Thulani SereroThulani SereroThulani Serero is a South African footballer who plays as a midfielder for Dutch Eredivisie club AFC Ajax. Prior to joining Ajax, he played for Ajax Cape Town in the South African Premier Soccer League.-Ajax Cape Town:...
FIFA U-20 World Cup record
| U-20 World Cup | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hosts/Year | Result | GP | W | D* | L | GS | GA | ||
| 1977 1977 FIFA World Youth Championship The 1977 FIFA World Youth Championship was the inaugural staging of the FIFA World Youth Championship and was held in Tunisia from June 27 to July 10, 1977. The tournament took place in four venues — Tunis, Rades, Sousse and Sfax — where a total of 28 matches were played, the smallest number in its... -1993 1993 FIFA World Youth Championship The 1993 FIFA World Youth Championship took place in Australia for second time from 5 to 20 March 1993. The 1993 championship was the 9th contested. The tournament took place in five venues: Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide.... |
Did not enter | ||||||||
 19951995 FIFA World Youth Championship The 10th FIFA World Youth Championship was held in Qatar from April 13 to April 28, 1995. The tournament took place in three venues in one city: Doha.-Qualification:-Group A:-------------------------Group B:--------------------... |
Did not qualify | ||||||||
 19971997 FIFA World Youth Championship The 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship was the 11th staging of the FIFA World Youth Championship. It was held from June 16 to July 5, 1997 in Malaysia.-Venues:-Qualification:The following 24 teams qualified for the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship... |
Group Stage | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | ||
| 1999 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship The 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship took place in Nigeria between April 3 and April 24, 1999. The 1999 championship was the 12th contested.- Qualification :The following 24 teams qualified for the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship.-Squads:... to 2007 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup The 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup was the sixteenth edition of the FIFA U-20 World Cup , hosted by Canada from June 30 to July 22, 2007. Argentina defeated Czech Republic in the title game by the score of 2–1, thus managing a back-to-back world title, its fifth in the past seven editions, and sixth... |
Did not qualify | ||||||||
 20092009 FIFA U-20 World Cup The 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup, was the 17th U-20 tournament, which was hosted by Egypt from 24 September to 16 October, in the cities of Cairo, Alexandria, Port Said, Suez and Ismaïlia... |
Round of 16 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 8 | ||
 20112011 FIFA U-20 World Cup The 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup was the eighteenth edition of the FIFA U-20 World Cup since its inception in 1977 as the FIFA World Youth Championship. Colombia hosted the tournament between 29 July and 20 August 2011, with matches being played in eight cities... |
Did not qualify | ||||||||
African Youth Championship record
| African Youth Championship | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hosts/Year | Result | GP | W | D* | L | GS | GA | ||
| 1979 1979 African Youth Championship The 1979 African Youth Championship was the first edition of the Championship. Algeria were crowned champions after beating Guinea in the final on the away goals rule, with both teams tied 4-4 after two legs... to 1993 1993 African Youth Championship The 1993 African Youth Championship was a football tournament hosted on the island of Mauritius, off the east coast of Africa. The Championship was won by Ghana, who defeated Cameroon in the final, with both teams thus qualifying for the 1993 FIFA World Youth Championship.... |
Did not enter | ||||||||
 1995 |
Did not qualify | ||||||||
 1997 |
Third Place | ||||||||
 19991999 African Youth Championship The 1999 African Youth Championship was the tenth edition of the continental Under-20 football competition.-Group A:-Group B:-Fifth-place:-Semi-finals:-Third place:-Final:-External links:*... |
Did not qualify | ||||||||
 2001 |
Group Stage | ||||||||
 20032003 African Youth Championship -Semifinals:---------Third place:-----Final:-Winner:... |
Group Stage | ||||||||
 20052005 African Youth Championship The 2005 African Youth Championship was an international football competition that took place between 15 and 29 January 2005.The tournament was hosted by Benin.-Group A: -Group B: -Knock-out Stage:-Semifinals:... |
Did not qualify | ||||||||
 20072007 African Youth Championship -Preliminary round:[Apr 15 and 29, 2006]Madagascar 1-1 2-2 Mauritius[Apr 15 and 29,30, 2006]Malawi 2-0 1-0 BotswanaRwanda 2-1 0-0 Ethiopia[Apr 15 and 30, 2006]Sudan 1-3 0-3 Tunisia[Apr 16 and 29,30, 2006]... |
Did not qualify | ||||||||
 20092009 African Youth Championship The 2009 African Youth Championship is a football tournament for Under 20 players. It was held in Rwanda from the 18th of January until the 1st of February 2009.... |
Fourth Place | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 9 | ||
| 2011 2011 African Youth Championship The 2011 African Youth Championship was a football tournament for the Under-20 level national teams in Africa. It was due to be held in Libya from 18 March to 1 April... |
Group Stage | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | ||
COSAFA U-20 Challenge Cup record
| U-20 Challenge Cup | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hosts/Year | Result | GP | W | D* | L | GS | GA | ||
| 1983-1990 | Did not enter | ||||||||
 1993 |
Quarter-finals | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 3 | ||
 1995 |
Runners-up | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 3 | ||
| 1997 |
Unknown | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ||
| 1999 |
Runners-up | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 15 | 6 | ||
| 2000 |
Champions | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | ||
| 2001 |
Unknown | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ||
| 2002 |
Unknown | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ||
| 2003 |
Unknown | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ||
| 2004 |
Champions | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ||
| 2005 |
Unknown | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ||
| 2006 |
Champions | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ||
| 2007 |
Runners-up | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ||
| 2008 |
Champions | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ||
| 2009 2009 COSAFA U-20 Cup The 2009 COSAFA U-20 Cup is an association football tournament contested between national teams affiliated to COSAFA.-Participants:Group AWithdrewGroup BGroup CGroup DWithdrew -Group A:-Group B:-Group C:... |
Champions | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 1 | ||
| 2010 2010 COSAFA U-20 Cup The 2010 COSAFA U-20 Cup is the 19th edition of the football tournament that involves the youth teams from Southern Africa. Botswana will host the competition.-Participants:Group AWithdrew for second consecutive yearGroup BGroup C... |
Group Stage | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | ||