South Africa Under-17 Men’s National Team head coach Vela Khumalo has declared his side’s semi-final clash against Zambia as ‘do or die.’

Amajimbos will face neighbors Zambia in the semi-finals of the 2024 COSAFA Championships and CAF U17 Africa Cup of Nations Regional qualifiers on Wednesday, 11 December 2024, in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Both teams won all three of their group matches to top their respective groups with nine points.

Winner between the two teams will book a spot at the 2025 U17 AfCON to be hosted by Ivory Coast.

In a post-match reaction, Khumalo said the technical bench has worked around the clock to build the team.

“It Is Do Or Die “- Khumalo.

“We are looking forward to the semi-final; it is a do or die, and we, as the technical team, have put a lot into building this team, and now it is up to the boys to show how badly they want to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations,” Khumalo said.

He rested key players in his team’s final Group C match against Mauritius, which the host won by 3-2.

Khumalo attributed the two goals conceded to a lapse in concentration after his team took a comfortable 3-0 lead.

“We played the younger players, and we believe they did well in scoring three goals in the first 15 minutes of the match; however, with youngsters, it is always a challenge because they lose concentration. It was important that we give all our players a run in the tournament.,” said Khumalo.

Zimbabwe, the top runners-up in the groups, will play Angola in the semifinals on Wednesday. At 15:00, South Africa will take against Zambia at Auckland Park’s AW Muller Stadium.

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