Maluleke has Amajimbo focused

The South African under-17 male team, the Amajimbo have been the revelation of the 2015 Caf Africa Junior Championship in Niamey, Niger Republic.

Unheralded at this level, they went about their business quietly and have qualified for their first ever Fifa Under-17 World Cup tournament.

Coach Petrus Molefe Ntseki has been able to assemble a crop of talented youngsters who will take Africa to the next level.

In a group that had Ivory Coast, Mali and Cameroon, the Amajimbo's were given no chance to progress considering the group opponents had much pedigree and experience at this level.

Led by team captain Nelson Maluleke, the team navigated it's way through the group without any defeat, coming second behind Mali and setting up a semi-final clash with Nigeria, who are the defending champions at world level.

"We have achieved our aims of coming here. The boys have done the nation (South Africa) proud," Ntseki told supersport.com

"Nigeria are the defending champions, we respect them, but we will be ready for the them. The confidence is high."

Coach Ntseki will count on Thabo Mbatha and Nelson Maluleke to cause problems for Nigeria while goalkeeper Mondli Mpoto, who has been one of the lynchpin of the Amajimbos will provide cover between the sticks.

Nigeria, however, will look to end South Africa's fairy tale run in the competition when they meet at the Stade Seyni Kountche on Wednesday.

The Golden Eaglets topped Group A of the championship ahead of hosts Niger, Mali and the Young Chipolopolo of Zambia and will look to add the Africa crown to the world crown already in her nest.

Already tagged favourites for the title, the Eaglets say they take one match after the other and will be looking to add the Caf Under-17 title to it's collection after losing to Ivory Coast in the final in Morocco two years ago.

Coach Emmanuel Amunike has put together a team that has the potential of being world champions like the class of 2013.

The team keeps improving with every game and the game with South Africa will be a litmus test for Amunike, who was an assistant coach as the Eaglets won the 2013 world events in the UAE under Garba Manu.

"We have achieved our objectives of coming here (Niger). We have qualified for the World Cup," Amunike told supersport.com

"The game against South Africa will be tough, but we will be ready for them. It will be an interesting clash," he added.

Whatever happens on Wednesday, Africa will definitely be entertained by two teams whose philosophy is attacking football.

The goals will surely pour in.

Kelechi Nwakali and Victor Osimhen both have three goals for Nigeria, same as South Africa captain Nelson Maluleke. The players will look to add to their tally as they lead their respective sides to the final on Sunday, 1st March, 2015.