Noordwyk Secondary School learner Lunje Noqobo has been named in the South African U17 men’s national football team, Amajimbos, who are set to compete at the FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar from November 3–27.

The Grade 10 learner, and Siwelele FC player, made the squad list in the team’s 3–0 friendly match victory over Malawi, played at Kamuzu Stadium on October 26. The clash formed part of Amajimbos’ final preparation camp before their departure for Qatar. The friendly match was a crucial opportunity for the coaching team to assess players ahead of naming the final 21-man world cup squad.

Read more: Midrand racer takes King of the Mountain crown at Speed Classic Cape Town

Lunje’s inclusion marks a major milestone for the young defender, who continues to balance his schoolwork with a growing football career.

Speaking about the buildup to the tournament, the South African Football Association (Safa) acknowledged the financial challenges faced by junior national teams, which has affected their ability to arrange more preparatory fixtures.

Safa CEO Lydia Monyepao noted that while other nations are able to invest significantly in youth football, South Africa continues to face funding gaps.

“Look at Morocco. During a Fifa international break, their senior team is in camp, their U17s are in camp, their U20s are in camp, and their U23s are in camp, all playing friendly matches because they have the funding for it.

“Right now, we are a few steps behind, in terms of funding to support these teams. Ideally, we want to prepare our teams to compete at that level. However, we have struggled with funding, especially for the junior national teams, which depend on what the senior national teams generate. The funding we receive from other sources has been very limited.”

Also read: Amajita’s left-back chases Bafana dream

Despite these challenges, Amajimbos remain determined to make their mark on the global stage. The team will depart for Qatar on October 29, where they have been drawn in Group A alongside Bolivia, hosts Qatar, and Italy.

South Africa will kick off their campaign against Bolivia on November 3, before facing Qatar on November 6, and rounding off the group stage against Italy on November 9.

For Lunje, the call-up represents both a dream come true and an inspiration for other young footballers in the community.

His journey, from Noordwyk Secondary’s classrooms to wearing national colours on the world stage, shows what dedication, discipline, and passion can achieve, even when the odds seem stacked against young talent.

Follow us on our WhatsApp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates!