The 21st edition of the U-20 World Cup is almost underway and Ducor Sports brings a team analysis of the African teams at this stage and their chances ahead of the tournament that kicks off on 20 May, in the Korea Republic.
SOUTH AFRICA
South Africa will be making its third appearance at the tournament. The previous being in 1997 and 2009 – the latter was an exit in the Round of 16 to eventual Champions Ghana.
South Africa will kick off its title bid against Japan in Group D. Two of the team’s previous opening matches ended in draws; 0-0 against the Korea Republic in 1997 and 2-2 against the United Arab Emirates in 2009.
South Africa’s only victory from seven games played in the U-20 World Cup was a 2-0 win over Honduras in 2009.
GROUP D: South Africa, Japan, Italy, and Uruguay.
SQUAD
Goalkeepers
Sanele TSHABALALA (Bidvest Wits FC), Mondli MPOTO (SuperSport United FC), Walter KUBHEKA (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Defenders
Malebogo MODISE (Mamelodi Sundowns), Shane SARALINA (Ajax Cape Town FC), Sandile MTHETHWA (Orlando Pirates FC), Sirgio KAMMIES (Ajax Cape Town FC), Thendo MUKUMELA(Mamelodi Sundowns), Reeve FROSLER (Bidvest Wits FC), Repo MALEPE (Orlando Pirates FC)
Midfielders
Teboho MOKOENA (SuperSport United FC),Wiseman MEYIWA (Kaizer Chiefs FC),Matlala MAKGALWA (Mamelodi Sundowns), Sibongakonke MBATHA( Bidvest Wits FC),Luther SINGH (Sporting Braga),Sipho MBULE (SuperSport United FC),Masilake PHOHLONGO (Ajax Cape Town FC),Grant MARGEMAN (Ajax Cape Town FC), Kobamelo KODISANG (Platinum Stars FC),Thabo CELE SL (Benfica)
Forwards
Liam JORDAN (Sporting CP)
Coach: Thabo SENONG (RSA)
SENEGAL
Senegal is competing in its second U-20 World Cup after finishing fourth in New Zealand two years ago. The young Lions of Teranga was the second African team to qualify for the edition following its debut campaign
With just six goals scored two years ago in New Zealand, Senegal equaled the tournament record for the lowest goal return by a top-four finisher, a record held by six other teams.
GROUP F: Ecuador, USA, Saudi Arabia and Senegal.
SQUAD
Goalkeepers
Mouhamed MBAYE (FC Porto), Lamine SARR (AS Dakar Sacre Coeur), Idrissa NDIAYE (Diambars FC)
Defenders
Alioune GUEYE (NGB Niarry Tally), Mamadou MBAYE (AS Dakar Sacre Coeur), Akhibou LY (CNEPS Excellence), Waly DIOUF (Valenciennes FC), Mamadou DIARRA (Boluspor), Jean NDECKY (Casa Sport), Souleymane AW (Excellence Foot), Moussa BA (Excellence Foot)
Midfielders
Cavin DIAGNE (Darou Salam-ASMA), Krepin DIATTA (Sarpsborg FK), Souleye SARR (Mbour Petite Cote FC), Bamba KANE (Diambars FC)
Forwards
Ibrahima NIANE (Génération Foot), Mouhamed POUYE (Mbour Petite Cote FC), Aliou BADJI (Djurgardens IF), Ibrahima NDIAYE (Wadi Degla FC), Habib GUEYE (Darou Salam-ASMA), Ousseynou NIANG (Diambars FC)
Coach: Joseph KOTO (SEN)
Featured photo: FIFA
