South Africa national U17 head coach Vela Khumalo has named a strong XI for their second group stage match against hosts Qatar in their U17 FIFA World Cup.
The two sides do battle this afternoon at Aspire Zone – Pitch 7, with a win needed for the home side to keep their knockout stage hopes alive, while Amajimbos could secure it with a game to spare after their 3-1 win over Bolivia in their tournament opener.
Having lost 1-0 to Italy, pressure is already upon head coach Alvaro Meija – who has won three games and lost three since taking over the role to lead the squad.
The Spaniard beat Yemen, Oman, and United Arab Emirates, while suffering defeats to Belgium and Saudi Arabia, prior to the World Cup kick off last week.
Meanwhile, they come against an attack-minded South African side which has excited from the Cosafa Cup to Africa Cup of Nations en route to the global stage with the likes of Neo Bohloko, Emile Witbooi and Selwyn Stevens.
They will be without first choice right-back Sive Pama, who was sent off in the opening half, of their 3-1 win over the South Americans for the game that kicks at 17:45.
South Africa XI: Radebe, Mothapho, Marthinus, Dlekedla, Mlangeni, Mareletse (c), Sekgoto, Stevens, Witbooi, Els, Boholoko
Subs: Noqobo, Booysen, Morake, Taylor, Henson, Dhlamini, Mokohobo
Qatar XI: Saber, Hassanein, Majid, Malak, Friakh, Ktit (c), Jamil, Almarzouqi, Akram, Mohamed, Khalid
Subs: Khaled, Coukkri, Ndaw, Waleed, Hassan, Alqadi, Alhamad, ElHamadisa, Abdelrahman, Irahbine
