KEY SA U20 PLAYERS READY FOR CLASH
Confident Amajita take on wounded tigers Senegal in crucial Afcon fixture
SOUTH Africa’s coach, Thabo Senong, is expected to start the crucial Afcon Under-20 clash against Senegal at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola today with both the captain Tercious Malepe and midfielder Phakamani Mahlambi playing.
Malepe missed the impressive 3-1 win over Cameroon on Tuesday‚ where striker Luther Singh scored a hat-trick‚ because of injury.
Mahlambi arrived in Zambia late after a club versus country dispute between the SA Football Association and Bidvest Wits.
Victory for Amajita will ensure a place in the next stage of the tournament and also qualification to the Fifa Under-20 World Cup to be held in South Korea later in the year.
Senong said the availability of Malepe and Mahlambi was a timely boost and it gave the technical team a “good headache” to field their best possible starting eleven.
“Before the tournament started‚ we were the only team that had 19 players,” he said.
“We are happy that we don’t have any injury‚ suspension and unavailability issues.
“Malepe is our captain and Mahlambi is a senior player. We are happy that all 21 players are available.”
To beat Senegal‚ Senong said they were working on the psychology of the players following the convincing 3-1 win over Cameroon.
“We are trying to work on the players to remain in the performance zone,” he said.
“It is easy for young players to be in a comfort zone after a win like that against Cameroon.
“We are giving them individual feedback and helping them with analysis to make sure that they stay motivated for the next match.
“The game is going to be toughest of the group, because we are playing Senegal, who are wounded tigers after dropping two points in their opener against Sudan.
“They will do anything to come back in the tournament.
“It won’t be easy but we are happy to have the captain Malepe back. He is a solid leader on and off the field.
“We are also happy to have Mahlambi be- cause in these tournaments sometimes you need players with individual brilliance to influence the result of the game.”
Midfielder Sibongakonke Mbatha said players were aware of the importance of staying focused and avoiding going into the last match of the group having to win at all costs.
“We are fully focused on the next match and we are looking forward to playing against Senegal,” Mbatha said
“The attitude of the players is good and we are motivated to give our all.
“There is always pressure and we must learn to handle it.”
The attitude of the players is good and we are motivated to give our all. There is always pressure and we must learn to handle it