Where are the Amajimbos?

The opening ceremony for the U17 FIFA World Cup takes place tomorrow and over 500 aspiring stars will represent their country at the highest level at the Azteca stadium in Mexico.

This is the 14th tournament and the global audience catches it's first glimpse of the future icons of the game.

Africa will be well represented with four nations in attendance: Rwanda, the Congo, Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast will represent. Africa is collectively the most successful continent at the tournament, with the trophy returning to her for 5 of the past editions.

But where are our boys? Where are the Amajimbos? Development at this level is clearly important, if you consider that most football powerhouses traditionally do well here. Consider that the USA is the only country to have made every single tournament and look at where they are these days. They take it seriously right from the start.

How do we shape up at this level, not necessarily in talent, but in development and support? Are we cultivating winners or expecting the cream to rise to the top all on its own?