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Amajita within reach of cup title

South Africa men's Under-20 soccer captain Motjeka Madisha says he would feel gutted if they let the Commonwealth Cup slip through their fingers having done so well up to now.

Amajita take on Belarus in the semi-final of the Commonwealth Cup taking place in St Petersburg, Russia on Friday.

The winner will play either Turkmenistan or Finland in the final scheduled for Sunday.

"We can feel the trophy is within our grasp. We overcame a tough home side in Russia and I think that was the most difficult part, no disrespect to Belarus, Finland or Turkmenistan," Madisha said.

"The feeling of lifting this trophy will be great. I have spoken to most of my team-mates and they also think winning this tournament would catapult their careers to the next level."

The tough tackling Madisha said his personal aim was to break into the Sundowns starting 11.

"My time will come but I believe if given a chance, I am more than ready," he said.

Madisha said the pattern of play in the two-week Commonwealth Cup had been of a high standard and he liked everything about Russia.

"This is a great country and I would one day want to come and play here," Madisha said.

"Everything is top class - the stadiums are great, the people are friendly and the standard of soccer is up there among the best.

"People only talk about soccer in Western Europe as the real deal but there is top class soccer here in the Eastern bloc."

Madisha has caught the eye of some roving agents and Madisha said winning the cup would expedite his move to greater things.

"If we beat Belarus and go on to win this Commonwealth Cup, it would be a big boost for the future of South African football which has been on the rise recently," he said.

"It will also boost our confidence going to the CAF African Youth tournament scheduled for Senegal.

"Winning is always a good culture and that is what we want to develop in this team."

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