‘World Cup vital for us’

National Under-20 striker Itumeleng Shopane says the team will do their utmost to ensure they qualify for the Fifa Under-20 World Cup when they compete at the Caf Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Zambia.

“We all want to make the country proud and the only way to do that is to play well and qualify for the World Cup,” he said.

He was part of the Amajita camps since last year’s Cosafa Cup tournament held in North West where the team was beaten in the final by Afcon host Zambia.

Shopane, along with the rest of the Amajita squad departed for Zambia yesterday afternoon, with their first match coming up against Cameroon.

Senong called up 21 players, but only 20 travelled to Lusaka with Bidvest Wits winger Phakamani Mahlambi missing.

The team start their campaign with a clash against Cameroon at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola on Monday.