Crowie’s Amajimbos working on getting things right ahead of Afcon opening game

South Africa Under-17 boy’s team (Amajimbos) are getting settled in Algeria ahead of the start of the Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), and coach Duncan Crowie says it is all about getting a few things right with his team before their opening match against Morocco in Group B.

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Crowie and his young troops departed for the North African country on Saturday, and landed the next day. The SA Under-17 squad have had at least a week to prepare for their match against the Moroccans at Stade Mohamed-Hamlaoui on Sunday.

The Amajimbos mentor says they put in a lot of work before leaving the country, in preparation for the competition.

“I think it was a good two weeks that we spent together. We put in a lot of work, a lot of tactical work as far as preparation for the games are concerned. The most important thing is that we have come through this unscathed, and we don’t have major injuries,” said Crowie.

“We have a week before our first game. We are getting close to game time and we have polished (up on) a few things. The rest will be important because the players have been training twice almost every day. Managing them now up until the first game on 30 April 2023 is going to be important.”

Thorough analysis

Crowie added that they have been thoroughly analysing on their opponents in order to know what they will be facing. And he believes his charges will be ready to battle it out against Morocco.

“When we go onto the field against Morocco, it must be as if we know them and we have seen them play. Videos can be slightly different to playing against them live. But videos will give our player an idea of what they will be coming up against. We have seen Morocco’s recent games and we have an idea of what we are coming up against,” he added.

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After playing Morocco, Amajimbos will take on Zambia on 3 May, and wrap up the group phase with a clash against Nigeria.

Crowie has some exciting names in his squad, with the Mamelodi Sundowns exciting new talent Siyabonga Mabena also there.