Misfiring Amajita saved from blushes
Win over Flying Eagles seal deal
Amajita’s failure to register a single shot on target against Nigeria in the Africa Cup of Nations third-place play-offs summed up what was a substandard tournament for the Under-20 national soccer team on Saturday.
They had to rely on penalties to clinch the bronze medal in Niger after beating the Flying Eagles 5-3. Goalkeeper Khululeka Kubheka saved Nigeria’s first spotkick before his teammates converted all theirs. The game had ended in a goalless draw. It was Nigeria who dominated and created many chances, managing 20 shots at goal, with four on target. Amajita registered only three shots at goal, but none of them was on target. Notwithstanding achieving their primary objective of qualifying for the Fifa U-20 World Cup in Poland from May 25 to June 16 this year, truth be told, Amajita were far from convincing throughout the tournament as they hardly dominated their opponents. Amajita scored only two goals in five games.
The goals came from a freekick (thumped home by Siphesihle Mkhize in the opening m atch against hosts Niger) and a penalty (scored by Luke le Roux against Burundi in the last group match). Perhaps the only positive of their game, the South Africans were disciplined and solid at the back.
They conceded only two goals in the entire tournament (in their 1-1 draw against Niger and against Senegal in the semifinals, 1-0).
Coach Thabo Senong blamed the lacklustre showing on the unavailability of star striker Lyle Foster. Foster’s French club, Monaco, refused to release him for this biennial youth tournament.
With the former Orlando Pirates youngster missing, many people had expected Leicester City’s Thakgalo Leshabela to lead Amajita’s attack, but Senong preferred the likes of Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Promise Mkhuma and Thabiso Monyane instead.
‘ ‘ Coach blames lack of fire power on absence of striker Foster