Ukrain Under-20 coach Oleksandr Petrakov (Pic Safa.net)
Ukraine’s Under-20 coach Oleksandr Petrakov has singled out South Africa’s (Amajita) midfield dynamo Thakgalo Leshabela for his energy and drive ahead of the Fifa Under-20 World Cup tournament to be held in Poland next week.
This followed a 1-1 draw in an international friendly between South Africa and Ukraine in Kyiv on Saturday.
Petrakov said he was impressed with Leshabela’s runs on and off the ball. “He is fast, creative and makes the team tick,” said Petrakov.
The Ukraine youth coach said if he continued as he did against his side in the international friendly match, it could bode well for Amajita in Group F that includes Argentina, Portugal, and Korea Republic.
Meanwhile, the agility of Mamelodi Sundowns star Malebogo Modise at left-back also caught the eye of the Ukraine coach.
Modise, who received a standing ovation from the Ukraine fans after the final whistle of the match, showed swift and deft touches against the structured and the disciplined Ukraine attackers.
“He has a lot of stamina. He runs up front and gets back very quickly in his key responsibility as a left back to defence,” Petrakov added.
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