AMABINNEPLAAS are just two matches away from defending the Cosafa Senior Challenge title, but they are not even thinking about that.
AMABINNEPLAAS are just two matches away from defending the Cosafa Senior Challenge title, but they are not even thinking about that.
The team is focusing on the upcoming semifinal clash against hosts Zimbabwe in Harare today.
The South African development side qualified for the tournament's last four after defeating Angola 2-0 on Tuesday.
"It was a tough match but we were well prepared to bring the team to a competitive level. We had to push our players when it seemed they were ready to give up after fighting too hard. We are proud of the players and they should be proud too, it was a team effort," said Simon Ngomane, one of the joint coaches of the side.
Ngomane said the game was a very physical match that left several players with knocks, but the technical team remains hopeful that the medical department will revive the players concerned ahead of the crucial clash against Zimbabwe.
"Playing the hosts is tough because of the crowd, but Zimbabwe are also a tough side. Even though they were not tested against Botswana they showed they have depth in midfield and their strikers could be deadly," Ngomane said.
"We have to apply pressure from the start, they are good but not unbeatable. I am comfortable we will come with a plan to offset their plans."
As the defending champions of the tournament, Amabinneplaas are aware they can lift the trophy once again, but they are taking the tournament one match at a time.
"We want maximum focus on each match. We started with Angola in the quarterfinals, now what is important is that we need to continue working as hard as we can and not put ourselves under pressure thinking of the final - we want to deal with this match and move on to the next assignment," Ngomane said.
Zambia and Mozambique will contest the other semifinal.
No let-up for Amabinneplaas
AMABINNEPLAAS are just two matches away from defending the Cosafa Senior Challenge title, but they are not even thinking about that.
AMABINNEPLAAS are just two matches away from defending the Cosafa Senior Challenge title, but they are not even thinking about that.
The team is focusing on the upcoming semifinal clash against hosts Zimbabwe in Harare today.
The South African development side qualified for the tournament's last four after defeating Angola 2-0 on Tuesday.
"It was a tough match but we were well prepared to bring the team to a competitive level. We had to push our players when it seemed they were ready to give up after fighting too hard. We are proud of the players and they should be proud too, it was a team effort," said Simon Ngomane, one of the joint coaches of the side.
Ngomane said the game was a very physical match that left several players with knocks, but the technical team remains hopeful that the medical department will revive the players concerned ahead of the crucial clash against Zimbabwe.
"Playing the hosts is tough because of the crowd, but Zimbabwe are also a tough side. Even though they were not tested against Botswana they showed they have depth in midfield and their strikers could be deadly," Ngomane said.
"We have to apply pressure from the start, they are good but not unbeatable. I am comfortable we will come with a plan to offset their plans."
As the defending champions of the tournament, Amabinneplaas are aware they can lift the trophy once again, but they are taking the tournament one match at a time.
"We want maximum focus on each match. We started with Angola in the quarterfinals, now what is important is that we need to continue working as hard as we can and not put ourselves under pressure thinking of the final - we want to deal with this match and move on to the next assignment," Ngomane said.
Zambia and Mozambique will contest the other semifinal.