Amajita now into melting pot of sheer dread

AMAJITA have been handed a draw from hell at the Fifa U20 World Cup in May‚ being grouped with Italy‚ Japan and Uruguay.

South Africa were drawn in one of two “groups of death”.

The other comprised hosts Korea Republic‚ England‚ Argentina and Guinea in Group A.

Arguably‚ though‚ Amajita’s Group D was the toughest as it includes two current continental youth champions and one runner-up.

The draw was conducted in Suwon‚ South Korea yesterday and attended by South Africa’s U20 coach Thabo Senong‚ who will know his side have a tough task ahead of them.

Italy might be considered Amajita’s strongest opposition.

They were one of five European teams who qualified for the U20 World Cupa and did it by reaching the final of the 2016 Uefa Championship in Germany in July‚ losing 4-0 there against France.

Uruguay‚ though‚ might pose even more imposing opposition as they qualified by winning the 2017 South American Youth Championship in Ecuador in February.

To make the group even tougher Japan‚ who will be playing in their own region‚ also qualified as continental champions.

They were penalties winners in the final of the 2016 Asian Football Confederation U19 Championship over Saudia Arabia in Bahrain in October.

South Africa reached the U20 World Cup finishing in fourth place at the past two weeks’ Caf U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Zambia‚ losing 2-1 against Guinea in the third-place playoff.

The U20 World Cup in South Korea runs from May 20 to June 11. Amajita kick-off their tournament against Japan on May 21‚ then meet Italy on May 24 and Uruguay on May 27. Fifa U20 World Cup groups: Group A: Korea Republic‚ Guinea‚ Argentina‚ England

Group B: Venezuela‚ Germany‚ Vanuatu‚ Mexico

Group C: Zambia‚ Costa Rica

Group D: South Africa‚ Japan‚ Italy‚ Uruguay

Group E: France‚ Honduras‚ Vietnam‚ New Zealand

Group F: Ecuador‚ USA‚ Saudi Arabia‚ Senegal. — TMG Portugal‚ Iran‚