SA U-17 coach Vela Khumalo weighs in on TotalEnergies CAF U-17 AFCON draw outcome

Head coach of the South African U-17 national team, Vela Khumalo has reacted to the draw outcome of the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 Draw that was conducted in Cairo on Thursday, 13 February.

The continental showpiece, which serves as a qualifier to this year’s FIFA U-17 World Cup will take place in Morocco between 30 March - 19 April.

The draw, which was conducted by former Mali international Adama Coulibaly and ex-Senegalese star Souleymane Camara saw “Amajimbos” drawn in a Group B that Khumalo described as “Intriguing”.

The South Africans take on last edition’s bronze-medallists Burkina Faso, 2009 champions Egypt, as well as the winners of the UNIFFAC Qualifiers to be confirmed in due course.

Reacting to the draw, Khumalo who also doubles as Kaizer Chiefs FC youth coach said the draw was both interesting and intriguing, adding that the confirmation of the UNIFFAC team would help them fine-tune their preparations.

“This is a very interesting group. Very intriguing as well. At the same time, one is still hanging in there to see who the other team will be. Is it Cameroon, Congo, Central Africa Republic or Gabon. At the moment we still waiting but very interesting group and we look forward to getting the finalisation and seeing the fourth team and take it from there”, said Khumalo.

This year’s edition marks South Africa’s fifth participation, having come short of lifting the title in 2015 when they were narrowly edged by Mali in the final in Niamey, Niger.