Ronwen Williams Praises Emile Witbooi After Amajita Reach 2026 Cosafa U20 Final
- Ronwen Williams has singled out an Amajita youngster after South Africa’s dramatic COSAFA U20 semi-final victory over Zambia
- The Bafana Bafana captain revealed what caught his attention during the match and why the youngster could have a big future
- With Amajita now heading for the COSAFA final, Williams believes several of the rising stars could soon be knocking on Bafana’s door
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Ronwen Williams has heaped praise on Emile Witbooi after the teenage attacker helped Amajita reach the 2026 COSAFA U20 final and secure qualification for the 2027 U20 Africa Cup of Nations. South Africa came from behind to beat Zambia 4-2 in Friday’s semi-final in Mozambique, with Witbooi producing a standout individual moment.
Williams said the senior squad had followed Amajita’s progress and highlighted the Cape Town City youngster’s contribution.
“First and foremost, congratulations to the U20 team, Amajita, for what they’ve done, for qualifying again, back-to-back,” Williams said at the Bafana Bafana press conference, according to iDiski Times.
He explained that the plan was to establish themselves as a consistent presence there, stressing that this was the direction they wanted to take. He added that they had once again achieved that objective.
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Emile Witbooi catches Bafana Bafana captain’s eye
The moment that particularly impressed Williams came when Witbooi carried the ball through several Zambian challenges before finding the net.
“And I mean, when you saw the fourth goal from Emile Witbooi dribbling so many players, and then to slot the ball in the back of the net, amazing,” Williams said.
“You know the boy, high-quality player. You see it week in, week out at Cape Town City.”
Witbooi, who turned 18 in August, has already represented South Africa at U15, U17 and U20 level. He was also included in the U23 squad this week, highlighting his progression through the national age-group system.
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Bafana Bafana pathway takes shape
Williams said Amajita’s progress could strengthen the pipeline into the senior national team, with several squad members potentially pushing for promotion in the coming years. He noted that Pitso Mosimane had already indicated that the youngsters would be monitored as they continued developing.
Williams also urged the players to maintain their work ethic and build on their success by targeting another AFCON title. He suggested some could make the step up sooner rather than later, while others may need more time before joining the senior setup.
South Africa will face either Mozambique or Namibia in Sunday’s COSAFA U20 final. Their place at the 2027 U20 AFCON in Ghana is already secured.
Williams’ comments underline the pathway emerging between South Africa’s age-group teams and the senior side, with Witbooi among the youngsters attracting attention after Amajita’s latest campaign.
Emile Witbooi attracts European interest
Briefly News also reported that Emile Witbooi’s impressive rise has attracted attention from some of football’s biggest clubs, with Bayern Munich extending an invitation to the teenage Cape Town City star.
The youngster has also been linked with Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, but Cape Town City chairman John Comitis revealed what could determine his next move.
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Source: Briefly News
