Tough draw for Amajita
The South African national Under-20 team, Amajita, find themselves in strong company after the draw was conducted for the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup in host country Korea Republic.
Amajita have been drawn in Group D with Japan, Italy and Uruguay.
The pride of the country's bubbling under talent qualified for the quadranial tournament by reaching the semi-finals of the recently concluded CAF Africa Cup of Nations under-20 tournament in Zambia.
Amajita were eliminated by hosts Zambia in the semi-finals and ended the tournament fourth overall.
The South Africans will open their account against Japan.
The pairings were drawn by some famous personalities including Diego Maradona, who won the 1979 FIFA U-20 World Cup with Argentina, and Pablo Aimar, who won the 1997 edition.
Hosts Korea Republic will take on Guinea in the opening match on 20 May, with Group A also including England and Argentina in what could turn out to be the 'Group of Death'
African champions Zambia will face two-time winners Portugal in the opening burst of fixtures and Italy face South American champions Uruguay.
Debutants Vanuatu will open their account against Mexico, while Vietnam kickoff their debut tournament against New Zealand.
The full draw is:
Group A: Korea Republic, Guinea, Argentina, England
Group B: Venezuela, Germany, Vanuatu, Mexico
Group C: Zambia, Portugal, Iran, Costa Rica
Group D: South Africa, Japan, Italy, Uruguay
Group E: France, Honduras, Vietnam, New Zealand
Group F: Ecuador, USA, Saudi Arabia, Senegal
The pride of the country's bubbling under talent qualified for the quadranial tournament by reaching the semi-finals of the recently concluded CAF Africa Cup of Nations under-20 tournament in Zambia.
Amajita were eliminated by hosts Zambia in the semi-finals and ended the tournament fourth overall.
The South Africans will open their account against Japan.
The pairings were drawn by some famous personalities including Diego Maradona, who won the 1979 FIFA U-20 World Cup with Argentina, and Pablo Aimar, who won the 1997 edition.
Hosts Korea Republic will take on Guinea in the opening match on 20 May, with Group A also including England and Argentina in what could turn out to be the 'Group of Death'
African champions Zambia will face two-time winners Portugal in the opening burst of fixtures and Italy face South American champions Uruguay.
Debutants Vanuatu will open their account against Mexico, while Vietnam kickoff their debut tournament against New Zealand.
The full draw is:
Group A: Korea Republic, Guinea, Argentina, England
Group B: Venezuela, Germany, Vanuatu, Mexico
Group C: Zambia, Portugal, Iran, Costa Rica
Group D: South Africa, Japan, Italy, Uruguay
Group E: France, Honduras, Vietnam, New Zealand
Group F: Ecuador, USA, Saudi Arabia, Senegal
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