| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Xaniseka Raymond Mdaka | ||
| Date of birth | (1970-01-01) 1 January 1970 | ||
| Place of birth | Ga-Mokgwathi, South Africa | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | South Africa U20 (head coach) | ||
| Managerial career | |||
| Years | Team | ||
| 2021–2023 | Marumo Gallants | ||
| 2024– | South Africa U20 | ||
Xaniseka Raymond Mdaka (born 1 January 1970) is a South African former teacher and soccer manager who is the current head coach of the South Africa national under-20 soccer team.
In 2025, he became the first South African coach to win a continental youth title when he won the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations.[1]
Personal life
Mdaka grew up in Ga-Mokgwathi village outside Tzaneen and is of Balobedu heritage. He is the sixth of nine children.[2]
He matriculated at Gwambeni High School and obtained his teaching diploma at Giyani College of Education.[2]
Managerial career
Marumo Gallants
He led Marumo Gallants to their first semi-final at the 2022–23 CAF Confederation Cup.[3]
South Africa under-20
Mdaka was appointed Amajita coach in 2024.[4] He won the 2024 COSAFA U-20 Cup with the team not conceding in the entire tournament and qualified for the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations.[5]
At the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations he became the first South African coach to win a youth continental title after his team defeated Morocco 1-0 in the final. He then lead the team to their second round of 16 finish at the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in sixteen years.[6][7]
Honours
References
- ^ "Raymond Mdaka hails DDC impact on Amajita AFCON glory". SABC. 2025-05-19. Retrieved 2025-05-19.
- ^ a b "Mdaka quits teaching to lead Amajita to Afcon glory |". lite.scrolla.africa. Retrieved 2025-05-19.
- ^ Msomi, Smiso (2023-06-12). "Raymond Mdaka backs Marumo Gallants to spring a surprise in Confederation Cup quarter against Pyramids FC". IOL. Retrieved 2025-05-19.
- ^ Ntloko, Mninawa (2024-03-12). "Mdaka to lead Amajita ahead of AFCON qualifiers - SAFA.net". Retrieved 2025-05-19.
- ^ "Raymond Mdaka: "All groups must be respected"". Raymond Mdaka: “All groups must be respected”. Retrieved 2025-10-12.
- ^ "Amajita coach Mdaka banking on team chemistry ahead of FIFA U-20 World Cup". Amajita coach Mdaka banking on team chemistry ahead of FIFA U-20 World Cup. Retrieved 2025-10-12.
- ^ "South Africa coach Raymond Mdaka reveals how Amajita overcame 'what looked like a mountain to climb' challenge before making U20 FIFA World Cup history | Goal.com South Africa". www.goal.com. 2025-10-06. Retrieved 2025-10-12.
