Senong takes setbacks on chin
DIFFICULT QUALIFIER LOOMS IN MOZAMBIQUE Three clubs would not allow players to join the party.
There might be some obstacles leading to Amajita’s Caf Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Mozambique at Campo de Ferroviario da Beira in Beira City on Saturday, but head coach Thabo Senong is confident about his squad’s abilities.
Sibusiso Mabiliso of AmaZulu FC, Bradley Cross of Bidvest Wits, as well as Belgium-based Keith Groeneveld were not released by their clubs for the camp after being named in the 28-man preliminary squad.
Senong, however, has managed to call up Saluleko Mathonsi of Wits University and Tristan Nikitaridis of the University of Johannesburg as replacements, bringing the total number of the squad to 27 and says he is grateful to all the clubs that allowed their players to attend the camp.
“I was quite impressed by the attendance, and I must say a very big thank you to all the clubs – PSL, NFD, ABC and MDC – who released their players, we are happy with their cooperation. All we have to do is to make sure we gel quickly into a team as we are playing a very tough match against Mozambique,” the Amajita coach told Safa.net.
“It is quite unfortunate that we could not get those players, but we don’t see this as a challenge, it is actually an opportunity for another player to come in as we have a very good pool of players,” added Senong.
Amajita held their first training session on Monday after a number of players were in action for their respective teams over the weekend and Senong said it was a fruitful exercise.
“We had a good first day of training, which was nice and easy because most of the boys were playing over the weekend so we let them take it easy just to make sure they are fresh.”
Senong and his charges leave for Mozambique tomorrow and will return to the country on Sunday with the return leg set to be played next Sunday.