Amajita need goals to reach their global goal

DESPITE bemoaning his lack of firepower up front, Thabo Senong is aware that he has to come up with a scoring solution when his Amajita team lock horns with Burundi in a must-win clash in the group stage of the Africa Youth Champions (AYC) today at Stade de Maradi in Niger (5.30pm).

To fellow compatriots, it might be pleasing that Amajita have started their first two group matches with only locally-based players, but it was evident they were clearly in need of a target man in those games having failed to trouble the opposition’s defence.

That fire-power lies on the shoulders of AS Monaco’s reserve team striker Lyle Foster, who has been an integral figure for the South African Under-20 team having ensured that they that they bagged back-to-back Cosafa Cups in Zambia (in 2017 and 2018).

Unfortunately, coach Senong was denied that gem as the French side refused to release Foster for the tournament. And Amajita are now faced with a mountain to climb in their last match against Burundi after drawing with Niger (0-0) and Nigeria (1-1).

“Our game plan in every match is to make sure that we keep it solid at the back and stay organised,” Senong said.

“But you would see that we are very limited in attack compared to other teams like Niger, Nigeria and Burundi. We left out some of our good strikers that were not released (particularly by the overseasbased club), so it was going to be important that we close up shop.”

With unconvincing performances in their last two matches, now might be the time for Senong to introduce his only available overseasbased players, Kobamelo Kodisang (Portugal) and Khanya Leshabela (England).

The attacking pair are yet to consolidate their spots in Senong’s AYC team, but against Burundi, where they need a high scoring win, the duo might prove to be the answer.

Amajita are third in Group A, three points behind leaders Nigeria, and only three points will ensure a spot in the semi-finals and automatic qualification for the World Cup.

Burundi won’t be walkovers as they put up a gallant fight that salvaged a point against Niger in the second round of matches.

“I said from the beginning that all these games are tight and we are in a tough group, but we’ll have to work hard in the final game,” Senong acknowledged.

“If we still want to be part of the tournament, it’s a must-win against Burundi and we need to score goals. It won’t be easy but it is possible if we work hard and come up with other solutions (to our scoring problems).”

Should South Africa finish in the top two of their group, Senong will become the first Amajita coach to lead the team to back-to-back World Cup tournaments having made it to the 2017 edition in South Korea.