South Africa can book another continental finals appearance if they can hold their nerve in the second leg of their 2017 African Under-20 Championship qualifier at home to Lesotho on Saturday.
Amajita hold a 2-0 advantage going into the clash at the Petrus Molemela Stadium and it would be a major surprise should they fall short after a dominant display in Maseru a fortnight ago.
Victory will take them to the African Under-20 Championship finals in Zambia to be staged from February 26 to March 12‚ where they will need to reach the semifinals in order to book a place at the Under-20 World Cup to be held in South Korea later in the year.
But those thoughts are far off for Amajita coach Thabo Senong‚ who admits his side hold a heavy advantage‚ but says the job is only half done and has promised to take the game to Lesotho.
“We are not going to sit back and think because we have a two-goal advantage we are home and dry‚” he said.
“Things don’t work like that in football. We need to grind out another good win on Saturday.
“As far as match preparations are concerned‚ we have done everything expected of us.”
Much of this Under-20 squad has been drawn from the Under-17 side that competed at the World Cup in Chile last year‚ and so Senong can point to continuity in selection and familiarity among his players as a major plus.
In fact‚ 11 of the players who went to Chile are in the squad for Saturday’s game‚ and others such as BidVest Wits forward Liam Jordan and SuperSport United midfielder Zama Rambuwane have been around the squad for some time.
“We are all excited about the progress and the idea of qualifying for the CAF championships‚ and it’s every player and coach’s dream of playing in major continental and global tournaments‚” Senong said.
“The boys are looking sharp and we know Lesotho will not be a pushover but we need to be well prepared and I am confident we will deliver. Lesotho intend to spoil the party but if we play well‚ consolidate our position‚ keep the ball‚ work hard as a team and not get too excited‚ we will make it.
“We need to protect our two goals we scored in the first leg and if we score an early goal‚ it will help us control the game without much pressure.”
There are some injury concerns for the South Africans with Bafana Bafana international Fagrie Lakay from SuperSport United missing with a groin complaint‚ while Wits forward Luvoyo Mkatshana is out with a long-term knee injury.
— Times Digital
South Africa on the verge of qualifying for another continental tournament
South Africa can book another continental finals appearance if they can hold their nerve in the second leg of their 2017 African Under-20 Championship qualifier at home to Lesotho on Saturday.
Amajita hold a 2-0 advantage going into the clash at the Petrus Molemela Stadium and it would be a major surprise should they fall short after a dominant display in Maseru a fortnight ago.
Victory will take them to the African Under-20 Championship finals in Zambia to be staged from February 26 to March 12‚ where they will need to reach the semifinals in order to book a place at the Under-20 World Cup to be held in South Korea later in the year.
But those thoughts are far off for Amajita coach Thabo Senong‚ who admits his side hold a heavy advantage‚ but says the job is only half done and has promised to take the game to Lesotho.
“We are not going to sit back and think because we have a two-goal advantage we are home and dry‚” he said.
“Things don’t work like that in football. We need to grind out another good win on Saturday.
“As far as match preparations are concerned‚ we have done everything expected of us.”
Much of this Under-20 squad has been drawn from the Under-17 side that competed at the World Cup in Chile last year‚ and so Senong can point to continuity in selection and familiarity among his players as a major plus.
In fact‚ 11 of the players who went to Chile are in the squad for Saturday’s game‚ and others such as BidVest Wits forward Liam Jordan and SuperSport United midfielder Zama Rambuwane have been around the squad for some time.
“We are all excited about the progress and the idea of qualifying for the CAF championships‚ and it’s every player and coach’s dream of playing in major continental and global tournaments‚” Senong said.
“The boys are looking sharp and we know Lesotho will not be a pushover but we need to be well prepared and I am confident we will deliver. Lesotho intend to spoil the party but if we play well‚ consolidate our position‚ keep the ball‚ work hard as a team and not get too excited‚ we will make it.
“We need to protect our two goals we scored in the first leg and if we score an early goal‚ it will help us control the game without much pressure.”
There are some injury concerns for the South Africans with Bafana Bafana international Fagrie Lakay from SuperSport United missing with a groin complaint‚ while Wits forward Luvoyo Mkatshana is out with a long-term knee injury.
— Times Digital
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