Ntseki prepared to play the patience game with his men

In his bid to try and replicate the achievement of the Under-17 team that qualified for the 2015 Fifa World Cup in Chile, Amajimbos coach Molefi Ntseki (left) says all it will take is patience with the new generation and he will try to help them individually to get where they want to be.

Ntseki, who has been working with junior national teams for quite a while now admits that starting with a new squad is quite difficult.

“I think it is all about adjustment because when you have been with a team for over 24 months you get to understand them and they also get to understand you as a coach and technical team and at the same time you see them improving technically and tactically. When that phase (building a new team) comes, you have to start afresh and sometimes bring players who at times can’t even pass the ball properly or know positional play,” said Ntseki.

“These are the things you need to work on and all it takes is patience with the boys. When you are not patient with them they will be scared to play and express themselves and forget what they are supposed to be doing. I have been working with kids for some time now and that helps in understanding the individuals in the aquad.”

Amajimbos have been quite busy for the past two weeks preparing for the Under-17 Cosafa Cup in Mauritius, which will take place from July 19-29.

The squad departed to the island nation on Sunday and the Amajita coach adds that one of the most important things he needed to instil in his squad was the idea of winning every game they play since they are now playing on the international stage.

“All that is important now is the mental side of it. If we are mentally focused it becomes much easier for them to enjoy the game and play to win. Winning is the most important thing at this level, but where they came from, winning has never been as important as it is in the national team,” he added.