Spurs starlet off to Zimbabwe for AFCON qualifier

A Cape Town Spurs player has been named in the final South Africa squad for the upcoming CAF Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations | COSAFA Qualifiers 2026.

Aqeel Hess has made the cut after being included in the preliminary squad and he has been in camp with the national team since last week as the coaches assess the players.

The gifted left-footed defender has done enough to earn a place in coach Vela Khumalo’s squad ahead of the tournament set to be hosted by Zimbabwe this month.

The year 2025 has so far proved be a good one for Hess having helped Spurs clinch the Bayview Youth Tournament and he will now represent his country at under-17 level. 

The COSAFA tournament will be staged in Zimbabwe’s capital city, Harare, from 11-20 September 2025 and the Amajimbos squad will depart for Harare this week.

Amajimbos are in Group B where they will squad off with Zambia (September 12), Madagascar (September 14) and Malawi (September 16).