Coach lauds charges after great victory

Tshepo Ntsoelengoe

Amajita coach Thabo Senong paid tribute to his team’s tactical display following their 3-1 win over Cameroon in their first match at the Caf Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Zambia on Monday.

The speed of Bidvest Wits winger Sibongakonke Mbatha as well as Braga FC forward Luther Singh (above), who scored a hat-trick, was too much to handle for the West African side who opened the scoring before Amajita hit back.

Cameroonian coach Cyprian Ashu says mistakes cost his team but admitted he was not surprised by Amajita’s play and says Senong’s charges played well on the day, but they didn’t dominate the game.

“South Africa were better but it doesn’t mean they controlled most of the game. It is not about the defence conceding goals, but rather it is about young players making errors. We have to go back and prepare for the next game against Sudan,” said Ashu.

After a perfect to start to the tournament for Amajita, Senong wants his players to put extra effort in their next match against Senegal at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola tomorrow.

Ahead of their next game, Senong’s team will be given an extra boost by skipper Tercious Malepe, who missed the first game due to suspension, as well as Wits winger Phakamani Mahlambi who travelled to Zambia yesterday morning after his team had a change of heart and agreed to release him.

Amajita top the Group B standings with three points after Senegal and Sudan drew 1-1. A second win for the team will lay a good foundation for Senong’s charges to finish as group winners, which will automatically qualify them for the Fifa World Cup in South Korea later this year.