AMAJITA CARRY SA HOPES
World Cup berths at stake in Zambia
AMAJITA will carry the hopes of the nation on their young shoulders when they open their 2017 Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) today against Cameroon.
The biennial tournament hosted in Zambia kicked off yesterday.
There’s no better way for the youngsters to develop as players than to come up against the continent’s most promising footballers, some of whom are already plying their trade in Europe.
Amajita’s showdown against Cameroon at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola, starting at 6pm, comes after months of preparation. The SA side’s have previously beaten the young Indomitable Lions to qualify for the 2015 edition of Afcon.
The under-20 Afcon tournament, which serves as a qualifier for the Fifa World Cup in South Korea in May, started yesterday with hosts Zambia taking on Guinea while Egypt came up against Mali in Group A.
To qualify for the World Cup, Amajita need to finish in one of the top two spots in their group.
“The whole focus is on the first match because it’s always important to start well in a tournament.
“We hope that the boys can go out there and convert their chances that we have been creating in our friendly matches [against Zambia and Mali],” said Amajita coach Thabo Senong.
“We have three games and we need six points [to qualify for the semifinals]. We have to give everything in the first match. We don’t fear them.”
In 2015 in Senegal, Amajita finished third in a group with Mali, Ghana and Zambia. They lost their opening game to Ghana and then lost to Mali before beating Zambia 5-2 in the last group match.
“These tournaments are tough. It’s all about maximum concentration throughout the 90 minutes. It’s all about managing the game, dealing with set pieces. I have no doubt we can make history.”
Amajita, meanwhile, had to change their tournament base due to a lack of accommodation at their hotel. They have moved to the city of Kitwe, 62km west of Ndola.