Why Senong's feeling upbeat about Amajita

Amajitacoach Thabo Senong says he is confident Amajita will reach the semifinals of the CAF African youth championships and qualify for the World Cup scheduled for New Zealand in two months' time.

The national under-20s are in the same group as Ghana, whom they meet today in Saly (6.30pm SA time).

They then play Mali on Thursday before rounding off their group stage assignments against Zambia in Dakar on Sunday.

"We have been here for quite some time and we are all raring to go. The morale is good and the boys are well focused," said Senong after the team had wrapped up their final training session ahead of today's encounter.

The youthful mentor, who is also a Bafana Bafana assistant coach, said barring any mishaps, Amajita should make it to the semis.

"Ghana are a tough side but we are equally good, so I am expecting an exciting match on Monday."

Captain Madisha Modjeka said the rivalry between Ghana and South Africa would add some spice in this clash.

"We know what happened at the Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea [when Ghana came from behind to beat Bafana in the last group match] and it would be nice to get even. It won't be easy but if we want to be the best on the continent and even the world, we should stand up against the so-called giants," he emphasised.

Madisha said his teammates were hoping to follow in the footsteps of Amajimbos, the under-17 side who reached the final of the CAF U-17 African junior championships in Niger last month. - Sowetan Reporter

lSee page 26