Revamped Amajita set to surprise at the World Cup
Coach Senong says his side are the dark horses
National under-20 coach Thabo Senong believes Amajita could be the surprise packages at this month’s Fifa U20 World Cup in South Korea, despite being drawn into the tough Group D, featuring Japan, Italy and Uruguay.
Senong has made six changes to the squad that featured at the U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Zambia, where they finished fourth to qualify for the World Cup.
Khanyisa Mayo, Katlego Mohamme, Notha Ngcobo, Siyabonga Ngezana, Aghmat Ceres and Itumeleng Shopane are the players who did not make the final squad.
In come Reeve Frosler (Bidvest Wits), Thabo Cele (Benfica, Portugal), Shane Saralina and Masilakhe Phohlongo (both Ajax Cape Town), Malebogo Modise and Keletso Makgalwa (both Mamelodi Sundowns).
“With a good team ethic and good attitude, we believe we can be dark horses that can come out as a surprise package, especially moving into the last 16. We have to believe in ourselves and we don’t have to show any respect [to opponents],” said Senong.
Explaining his changes, he said: “Nobody owns a spot in the national team. Players have to fight for their spots. You need to look at players who are playing football every weekend. You need to look at players who are fit and those who are on form... consistent ... This is the 21 we believe will make the country proud.”
Amajita, who play their first group game against Japan on May 21, leave for South Korea on Wednesday.