
Amajita's AFCON U20 win shines light on grassroots initiatives
'We are incredibly proud of Amajita. This remarkable achievement underscores the impact that grassroots development initiatives, such as our DStv Diski Challenge, play in unearthing and nurturing exceptional football talent. With 18 of the players competing regularly in the Reserve League, the DDC has served as a crucial platform, providing young players with the competitive environment and exposure necessary to reach their full potential,' said Rendani Ramovha, CEO of SuperSport.
South Africa's Under-20 head coach Raymond Mdaka also credited the DSTV Diski Challenge for playing an important role in football development in South Africa.
'I salute the DDC because it made it easy for us to be able to see players weekend over weekend going to different places, seeing them and also following them the country is so big, if it wasn't for the DDC we weren't going to be able to see them. You couldn't drive maybe to have follow ups but through the DDC we were able to do that. We salute and we say they have done a good job for the country,' said Mdaka.
Amajita have followed in the footsteps of Bafana Bafana's in 1996 and Banyana Banyana's in 2022 teams, in scooping the continental title.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Citizen
4 hours ago
- The Citizen
Coetzé gets silver in 50m backstroke final — for third medal at world champs
This was the backstroke specialist's third medal of the championships in Singapore. Pieter Coetzé has won his third medal at the 205 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore after finishing second in the 50m backstroke final on Sunday. The South African touched the wall in 24.17 seconds, a fair bit behind winner and world record holder Kliment Kolesnikov who won in 23.68. In third was Pavel Samusenko in the same time as Coetzé, 24.17. Kolesnikov sets a new Championship Record with Coetze taking 𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐕𝐄𝐑 in a dead heat 🥈🔥 📺 Stream #AQUASingapore25 on DStv: — SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) August 3, 2025 It's another African record for Coetzé, who won a gold medal in the 100m backstroke early last week and silver in the 200m backstroke final on Friday. The other South African medal winner at the championships is Kaylene Cobett, who got bronze in the 200m breaststroke final. The competition ends Sunday. More to follow …


The South African
2 days ago
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs starlet draws local and European interest
Kaizer Chiefs' rising right-back Sfiso Timba has caught the eye of PSL club Sekhukhune United following his stellar displays for the DDC team and South Africa's U20 national side, Amajita. Timba, who recently impressed at trials with Belgian outfit RWD Molenbeek and also trained with the Amakhosi senior team, now finds himself at the centre of growing transfer interest. A reliable source close to Naturena revealed that Sekhukhune United have formally enquired about the 19-year-old. 'You know Chiefs were looking at promoting him this season, but it's believed that with the signing of Thabiso Monyane they have enough right backs at the moment and they are looking at him growing. And since it's believed that Sekhukhune United have enquired about him, then they could loan him there. It won't be a permanent move. No, it is expected to be a loan move. But, yes, the interest is there from Sekhukhune United,' said the source. While Chiefs considered elevating Timba to the senior team, Monyane's arrival has temporarily blocked that pathway. However, a loan deal to Sekhukhune could offer the young defender valuable top-flight experience. Meanwhile, the door to Europe remains open. Timba left a strong impression during his stint at RWD Molenbeek, and the Belgian club reportedly still monitors his progress. 'They were happy when he was there. They even made a follow-up on him, and the chances are that he could still go there. But, for now, the club has to deal with the local interest first and take it from there.' Timba's stock has surged since helping coach Raymond Mdaka's Amajita squad clinch the U20 AFCON title. Securing a coveted spot at the upcoming FIFA U20 World Cup. His leadership and composure at the back have positioned him as one of the brightest young talents in South African football. As local and international clubs line up for his signature. Kaizer Chiefs face a crucial decision on how best to nurture one of their most promising academy graduates. Should Kaizer Chiefs release another youngster? Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.


The Citizen
2 days ago
- The Citizen
‘Son of Gayton McKenzie': Calvyn Le'John says he doesn't live with the title
Le'John admitted that SuperSport United Football Club was bought through family businesses established by McKenzie. The son of the minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Calvyn Le'John, said he lives under the radar and that he steers away from the 'son of Gayton McKenzie' title. 'I don't live with the title of 'the son of Gayton McKenzie', I've never lived like that,' said Le'John in a recent interview with Robert Marawa on his radio show. 'I've always tried to keep under the radar.' Le'John came under the spotlight recently after buying SuperSport United Football Club for R50 million and renaming it Siwelele FC. The acquisition of SuperSport has been criticised for multiple reasons, mainly for taking away the established club from Tshwane and, more controversially, for the conflict of interest in the son of the minister of sport owning a soccer club in the Premier League. ALSO READ: Gayton McKenzie says he's 'gonna fight very hard' for at least one Bok game to be broadcast to everyone McKenzie's family businesses Le'John admitted that the buying of SuperSport was made through the family businesses, which McKenzie established. 'In my personal capacity, I am not a millionaire. I got my inheritance early; I'd like to believe because my father, when he was appointed minister, he was no longer allowed to do business. So all the family businesses were then moved to my name,' said McKenzie's eldest son. The McKenzie family has interests in mining, transport, hotels and publishing, among the confirmed ones by Le'John. 'I have dedicated my entire life to the Patriotic Alliance. You have taken full control of the family businesses; you move differently than me. You're taking the businesses in another direction, and I trust you, don't always agree, but I trust you,' wrote McKenzie on Facebook in early July. 'I agree fully with your purchase of SuperSport because we both stood at the deathbed of my father and your grandad, and we promised that we will always look after Siwelele.' ALSO READ: Gayton McKenzie: 'Sustainable, long-term employment for most artists remains implausible' Different surnames Le'John said that on the day he was born, McKenzie was sentenced to 17 years in prison, which made his mother want to distance herself and Le'John from any association with the minister of sport. 'My mother then decided she's not going to give her child the surname 'McKenzie'. She didn't want her child to grow up with the surname of a prisoner,' shared the businessman. 'So, she gave me her surname, Le'John.' In the aforementioned McKenzie Facebook post, the minister said Le'John was born just five hours after he was sentenced. 'You were born five hours after I had been jailed for 17 years. You grew up seeing me through jail bars. You never visited me on the weekends of the home games of Siwelele because you and your grandpa would go and watch the games religiously, just like me and him when I was young.' ALSO READ: 'It was an awesome moment': Tshegofatso Mabasa's mother on being included in the Pirates doccie 'My father is my teacher, mentor' Le'John said he has been in business most of his life, learning from his father, whom he described as his mentor. 'My father is my teacher, my mentor. I love him, I respect him, and I admire him.' 'Some would say I'm a daddy's boy, but he's taught me all I know.' Le'John said McKenzie hasn't just taught him, but said his life story has been an inspiration to other people. After serving his time in prison, McKenzie leveraged his experiences to become a motivational speaker and author, sharing his story of transformation from a life of crime. His most popular book is 2013's A Hustler's Bible: Words to Hustle by. 'He's one of those people that show you that you can literally come from nothing, and he came from below zero and made it to where he is,' shared Le'John. NOW READ: Nomzamo Mbatha shuts down Paul Mashatile dating rumours with Airbnb receipts