Senong goes straight back into action

Tshepo Ntsoelengoe

Straight from his duties as a technical team member for the South Africa Women Under-17 at the recent Fifa Under-17 World Cup in Uruguay, national Under-20 head coach Thabo Senong (right) got straight to work with his Amajita side in preparation for the Cosafa Cup in Zambia.

Senong called up 20 players who will be attempting to retain their Cosafa title with the exciting Cape Town-born midfielder Tashreeq Matthews, who recently joined German club Borussia Dortmund, included in the squad.

The Borussia midfielder will be one of the players to look out for in Senong’s squad, as they will be going up against Mauritius, Namibia and Swaziland in their group stage matches as they bid to reach the knockout stage.

The team departs for Zambia today, and Senong will also be looking to use the tournament as part of the team’s preparations for the 2019 Africa Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Niger, where they will be looking to book a spot at the 2019 Fifa Under-20 World Cup.

“We are now just three months away from the Africa Under-20 Cup of Nations which will run from February 2–17 in Niger next year,” said Senong.

“This tournament falls under our preparation plan for that crucial continental showpiece because as you know, top four teams in that tournament will automatically qualify for 2019 Fifa World Cup which will take place in Poland. Playing at our best in this Cosafa Championship will play a part in helping us to get ready for the showpiece.”

The competition runs from December 2 to December 14. Senong’s team will begin their campaign with a clash against Mauritius on Monday.