South Africa under 20 national team Coach Raymond Mdaka.
By: Refilwe Sebola
Raymond Mdaka, a talented coach from Ga-Mokgwathi village in Bolobedu Ga-Modjadji, made headlines last weekend by leading South Africa’s U20 national team to their first-ever continental title.
The young squad triumphed over Morocco with a score of 1-0 in the final of the U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) held in Egypt, marking a historic win and securing qualification for the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile later this year.
At 55 years old, Mdaka brings a wealth of experience and calm authority to the sideline. A former professional school teacher, he made the decision to leave the classroom to fully commit to football coaching—a choice that has clearly paid off. He holds a CAF A License coaching certificate and has previously coached teams such as City Pillars and served as an assistant coach at Dynamos in the National First Division. He also managed Premier Soccer League side Marumo Gallants.
Although he was newly appointed to the U20 role, Mdaka has already made a significant impact. His squad primarily consisted of players from the DStv Diski Challenge (DDC) league, a decision that proved crucial to their success. He praised the DDC for preparing young players for high-level competition, noting its importance as a development platform.
Standout players included Gomolemo Kekana, who scored the winning goal in the final; Shakeel April; Mfundo Vilakazi; and Thabang Mahlangu, among others.
The decisive moment in the final occurred in the 70th minute when midfielder Kekana received a long-range pass from goalkeeper Fletcher Smythe-Lowe and executed a precise finish. The goal, which was confirmed by VAR, secured a historic 1-0 victory, crowning South Africa as continental champions at the U20 level for the very first time.
Mdaka’s tactical insight and ability to spot raw talent have ushered in a new era for South African youth football, inspiring hope for the future of the national team.