Broos warns Amajita to stay focused after AFCON victory

Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has issued a stern warning to the SA U-20 Men’s team following their victory at the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

Addressing them after receiving a heroes welcome at the OR Tambo International Airport Broos told them to stay focused.

He says their AFCON triumph is just the first step and they must make the most out of their careers.

“I also have to congratulate the team, and you know guys, achieving the top is easy but staying on the top it’s so much more difficult,” said Broos.

“Everything starts now for you. You are on a crossroad. If you take the right direction I’ll be seeing you back next year in Bafana Bafana in big stadiums here in South Africa, or maybe abroad.

“Or you can take the other way and that’s the wrong way. You’ve got every opportunity to have a nice life for the next 10, 12 years as a professional football player and believe me it’s the nicest profession you can imagine.

“But you still have to work very hard in the next months. I hope you guys take the right lifestyle this very important to achieve.”

Amajita landed at the OR Tambo International Airport on Tuesday as the new champions of Africa after edging Morocco in the final in Cairo on Sunday.

Raymond Mdaka’s side also qualified for the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup, which will take place later this year in Chile, as one of the four U20 AFCON semi-finalists representing the continent at the global event.

The team was welcomed by a jubilant crowd and their families at the airport, along with Banyana Banyana head coach Dr Desiree Ellis, Broos and his assistant Helman Mkhalele.

“I’d like to congratulate coach Raymond for the fantastic job he did in the last two, three weeks it was nice to see,” said Broos.

“I followed every game, and I have to congratulate you coach first of all for the motivation you did in that team. When you saw them playing, they were motivated they wanted to do a big result.

“I say congratulations for the tactic moves you had, for the fantastic mentality that showed on the field. I think you did a very great job to bring this trophy here to South Africa.”