South Africa’s Kutlwano Letlhaku, Mfundo Vilakazi and Asekho Tiwani
Wednesday Apr 23, 2025. 15:00
With the South Africa Under-20 team set to depart for Egypt on Wednesday, April 23, we look at three players who could be key to Amajita’s trophy challenge at the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations.
Raymond Mdaka’s side will kick off their Group A campaign against host nation Egypt on Sunday, April 27 before taking on Tanzania, Sierra Leone and Zambia in the two weeks to follow.
Asekho Tiwani
The 19-year-old left-back is the captain of the team and will join them in Egypt after Mamelodi Sundowns’ crunch CAF Champions League semi-final clash with Al Ahly in Cairo on Friday, April 25. Tiwani joined the Brazilians from Sekhukhune United in July 2024 and made his Betway Premiership debut against SuperSport United in their opening game of the season. He has gone on to feature eight times in the league for Bafana ba Style and twice in Africa’s elite club competition, most recently coming off the bench late on in the first-leg tie against the Red Eagles on Saturday, April 19.
Mfundo Vilakazi
The 19-year-old attacking midfielder has really kicked on this term after being promoted to the first team at Naturena in January 2024. Vilakazi scored his first goal for Kaizer Chiefs in their season-opener against Marumo Gallants and has seen regular action in the league since then, although most of his 22 appearances have come off the bench. He also helped the Glamour Boys reach the Nedbank Cup final, getting his name on the scoresheet against Stellenbosch in the quarter-finals, his third outing in the competition, and could yet play a part against arch-rivals Orlando Pirates in the decider.
Kutlwano Letlhaku
The 19-year-old winger has been eased into the first team at Chloorkop since making the step up from the reserves in the off-season. But Letlhaku has already earned valuable experience both on the domestic scene and in Africa, turning out six times in the Betway Premiership and getting three outings in the CAF Champions League. He announced himself to Sundowns fans with a brace on his full top-flight debut against Polokwane City and has racked up 16 appearances in all competitions for Miguel Cardoso’s side.
