Amajita coach confident of a win over Mozambique
National Under-20 men’s team coach, Thabo Senong, is confident his side will do well against Mozambique when they meet in a Caf Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Mozambique.
Thabo Senong, coach of South Africa Under-20 team (Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix)
The first leg clash takes place on Saturday, at Campo de Ferroviaro da Beira in Beira City, Mozambique.
The Amajita squad assembled for camp on Sunday, and held their first training session on Monday at the University of Johannesburg, Soweto Campus.
“I am very excited with what I have seen so far, the spirit looks good and all we need to do is make sure that we are well prepared for the mission ahead. This is a very important clash as we want to qualify for the Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations 2019,” said Senong.
“Mozambique is a very tough team. They have just had an excellent camp where they won some games. I went to go watch them when they beat the Seychelles 6-0, so yes we have to be physically, tactically and mentally prepared if we want to get a positive result away.
“We have players that are mentally tough to handle that pressure away from home. With a good result away, it will be easier for us to finish the job in South Africa.”
The second leg is scheduled for Sunday, May 20 at a venue still be announced.
The Amajita squad is made up of almost all the levels of South African football – the Premier Soccer League, National First Division, MDC as well as the ABC Motsepe League players.
“This shows that all tiers of South African football are really doing well. For us, our recruitment criteria is character and quality – if you are humble enough, talented enough, then you qualify to play for Amajita and that is what we prioritised in our scouting criteria,” added Senong.
“And then we have also roped in about ten players who were with the South African Under-17 men’s team, because continuity is key. We have taken the players who worked with head coach Molefi Ntseki, promoted them and then eventually they will graduate to the Under-23 team.”
With 27 players currently in camp, Senong is expected to trim his squad to 20 before they travel to Mozambique. The Afcon tournament will take place in Niger from February 24 to March 10, 2019.
Eight nations will participate in the competition – and the top four countries will qualify as African representatives for the 2019 Fifa Under-20 World Cup in Poland.
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