The tournament will take place from 18 to 27 September, with Amajita looking to defend the regional title they have won in the last two editions.
Mdaka has been working with a preliminary group of 31 players since the team entered camp in Johannesburg on 8 September.
Amajita will leave for Mozambique on Thursday, 17 September. Two important Cape Town City players will only join the squad after the opening match.
Emile Witbooi and Cayden Fortune have been released to remain with Cape Town City because of club commitments. The pair are expected to report for national team duty on Sunday.
Amajita are aiming to finish among the top two nations in the tournament, which would secure qualification for the 2027 CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana.
The continental tournament will also carry an even bigger prize. The four semifinalists will qualify for the FIFA U20 Men’s World Cup in Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan next year.
Mdaka knows defending the COSAFA title will bring additional pressure.
AMAJITA LOOK TO DEFEND THEIR TITLE
Mdaka said the team cannot afford to underestimate the challenge despite being the defending champions.
“Football is always about pressure and if we’re going to the competition as nobodies like we did last year, then you will take advantage and say we will see what happens on the field,” Mdaka said.
“Anyone who has been put in our group will prepare thoroughly, so it’s a challenge on its own.” The Amajita coach also believes defending their previous success provides an extra challenge for the young squad.
“It would be good for us to go there and defend what we achieved previously, which is a big challenge, but other than that, we just have to fight with what we have,” he added.
The final squad includes players from Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates, Cape Town City, Richards Bay and several overseas clubs.
FULL 23 MAN AMAJITA SQUAD
Goalkeepers
- Takalani Mazhamba, Kaizer Chiefs
- Anothando Menemene, Mamelodi Sundowns
- Keabetswe Morake, Kaizer Chiefs
Defenders
- Ukhonaye Magele, University of Johannesburg
- Egan Freese, Kaizer Chiefs
- Sanele Simelane, Richards Bay
- Tebogo Lekhatla, Amatuks
- Lakham Gqonqo, TS Galaxy
- Cayden Fortune, Cape Town City
- Milimo Nalumango, Orlando Pirates
- Matthew Palmer, NK Slaven Belupo, Croatia
Midfielders
- Zazi Qotoyi, Mamelodi Sundowns
- Lazola Maku, Unattached
- Teboho Mlangeni, Kaizer Chiefs
- Manelis Mazibuko, Siwelele
- Oarabile Booysen, Amatuks
- Emile Witbooi, Cape Town City
- Kgomotso Madiba, Fluminense, Brazil
- Joshua Taylor, Cape Town City
- Kamogelo Mareletse, Mamelodi Sundowns
Forwards
- Steven Mendez, Kaizer Chiefs
- Angus Moss, Mamelodi Sundowns
- Will Henson, Orlando Pirates.