Richard Nkosi

Richard Nkosi

South Africa's national Under-20 squad will need to improve their finishing when they start their defence of the Metropolitan Cosafa Under-20 Championship against Lesotho tomorrow at Thulamahashe Stadium in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga at 7pm.

Fourteen countries from the southern Africa region are in the country to compete in the yearly youth tournament.

On Wednesday at Thulamahashe, the South African side missing dozens of clear chances.

Though they won 1-0 through Thulani Hlatshwayo's header, Amajita could have buried their directionless opponents under an avalanche of goals. The Swazis seemed not to be comfortable with the artificial pitch of Thulamahashe.

"The pitch was very comfortable for us and it suits our style of play," said coach Serame Letsoaka. "We trained on this pitch on several occasions and we are familiar with it and we are going to use it to our advantage against our opponents."

Asked about the missed opportunities, Letsoaka jokingly said: "No, the boys spared the goals for the tournament".

Letsoaka will be spoilt for choice in selecting his starting 11, especially in the middle of the park. The likes of Michael Nkambule, Bongani Sondlane, Thulani Serero and Aupa Manyisa had a brilliant game.

Mauritius and Botswana, who are in group A along with South Africa, kick off the tournament at the same venue at 4.30pm.