Barker’s message to Stellies’ FIFA U-20 World Cup trio
Steve Barker has wished Siviwe Nkwali, Langelihlie Phili, and Morne Crumpton well as their FIFA U-20 World Cup campaign gets underway next week.
South Africa, who were crowned African champions at the CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in May, have traveled to Chile, where they are set to participate in the prestigious FIFA U-20 World Cup over the next month.
Recap | Nkwali, Phili, and Crumpton headed to FIFA U-20 World Cup
While the tournament gets underway on Saturday, the Amajita will begin their campaign on Monday when they take on France in their Group E opener at the Estadio El Teniente in Rancagua.
Stellies will have three representatives in the squad after coach Raymond Mdaka named Siviwe Nkwali and Langelihle Phili in his 21-man squad, while youth goalkeeper coach Morne Crumpton will take charge of the nation’s young ‘keepers.
“It’s very special for the Club to have representation at the national level, which has always been one of our objectives,” Stellenbosch FC head coach Steve Barker said.
“We want to develop players who can represent the national teams, whether it be at youth or senior teams. I’m very happy for Major, Siviwe, and Morne, as well as [former Stellenbosch FC defender] Tylon Smith.
“They deserve the opportunity after showing good consistency with the U-20 team, and our message to them and the team is just to say, ‘Go out there, make yourself and your family and the Club proud, and ultimately make South Africa proud at the World Cup.”
The World Cup falls outside of the FIFA international break, but Barker revealed further that the Club had no intention of denying its young stars the opportunity to showcase their talents on the global stage, citing Smith’s rise as an example of why.
Read | Stellenbosch FC to play Kaizer Chiefs in CKO Round of 16
“…Tylon was really good at the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations and is now at Queens Park Rangers [in England] and going to a World Cup,” Barker added.
“So, when there are these opportunities for young players to play for their national teams, it would be very difficult for us not to let them go. It would have to be a massive crisis, and even then, we would still look to let them go.”