Amajita goalkeeper Fletcher Smythe-Lowe has reflected on a whirlwind journey with the South Africa national U20 squad over the past two years.
The 18-year-old Estoril goalkeeper has been an ever-present figure for the country, winning the Goalkeeper of the Tournament in their Cosafa Cup and Africa Cup of Nations triumphs and played every minute of their campaign which ended in the last-16 of the World Cup.
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Touted for a major future, the teenager stopper who signed his first professional contract with the Liga Portugal club after the AFCON in Egypt admits it’s been a major step in his development being part of the group.
“Being with this group of players has been really amazing, from the Cosafa, to the AFCON, winning the AFCON with these amazing people and then being at the World Cup with them as well, it’s an honour and privilege to wake up and train with these players,” he said.
“To have this mentorship of these coaches and be treated by the medical team, be supported by everyone here – it’s been really amazing.
“I think the most difficult game was the France one – with the lack of games we played after the AFCON final, it was difficult, and also the jet lag, it was quite a hit.
“But the Colombia game had it’s challenges as well, and the 5-0 win was one of the best ones, maybe against a lesser opponent but I think we applied ourselves very well, one of our better showings.
“These is an extremely talented group of players, and I look forward to seeing what they can do for the future.”
On the exit to Colombia, which ended in a 3-1 defeat, the former Benfica development goalkeeper said it was a matter of the players struggling to implement their game plan.
“It was a difficult game, we struggled quite a bit to express how we really wanted to play, I think we showed glimpses, but we just weren’t clinical enough at the end of the day and we couldn’t get the result,” Smyth-Lowe said.
“But there’s many positives to take away from the game – but at the end of the day, we’re proud of the efforts we put in and that’s really what counts.”
Takalani Mazhamba, Fletcher Smythe-Lowe, Siyabonga Mabena and Lazola Maku, all 18, will still be eligible for the next edition in 2027.
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