Amajita, the South Africa u20 national team edged closer to qualifying for their second successive CAF African u20 Cup of Nations when they scored an impressive 2-0 win over Lesotho in the first leg, away from home in Maseru.

Lesotho……0

South Africa…… 2 (Jordan 6; Sithole 74)

Amajita, the South Africa u20 national team edged closer to qualifying for their second successive CAF African u20 Cup of Nations when they scored an impressive 2-0 win over Lesotho in the first leg, away from home in Maseru.

The win by the Burger-King sponsored Amajita confirmed the success story of SAFA’s Vision 2022 in which all the junior national teams continue to dominate and qualify for major tournaments.

A world class header, courtesy of Liam Jordan and a second killer goal by Kamohelo Sithole gave South Africa the advantage in the 1st leg of the 3rd round of qualifiers and will be firm favourites in the return leg at home to progress to the championships next year in Zambia.

The u20 CAF continental showpiece will be hosted by Zambia from 26 February – 12 March 2017.

Amajita’s Reeve Frosler dished out a beautiful cross in the 6th minute which Liam Jordan headed home. On the other end goalkeeper Mondli Mpoto made two crucial saves in the first half to ensure that the visitors do not concede.

Kamohelo Sithole who came in as a second half substitute made a telling debut when he got Amajita’s second and crucial goal on the 74th minute.

Coach Thabo Senong used his third substitution when Masilakhe Phohlongo was brought on in the last 20 minutes of the game in place of Nelson Maluleke as the visitors ensured that they don’t concede going into the second leg.

Senong who was pleased with the away result maintained that while a 2-0 cushion was a good outcome, he insisted that there was still a second leg to be played in two weeks time for the country to book a place at the finals in Zambia.

“We went into this camp with very low fitness levels as the boys had not been in action for the past three weeks. Many of them were on school holidays and this really did have an impact on our preparations. We were comfortable that at least the boys have played together before so we did not need to start from scratch with the tactics,” said Senong.

“Two away goals is very encouraging, we are very happy about this but it does not give us reason to relax in the second leg. We know that Lesotho want to qualify for the AFCON and will come at us when we meet again, but we want that qualification as well,” said a smiling Senong.


South African starting lineup:
Mpoto; Mohamme; Mukumela; Malepe( c); Frosler; Mokoena; Kodisang; Mbatha; Maluleke; Lakay; Jordan

South African substitutions:
Johnson; Motsoeneng; Saralina; Mtsweni; Phohlongo; Sithole; Rambuwane


Lesotho starting lineup:
Ramalefane; Nkune; Tekane; Mohai; Mokokoane; Mongali; Towane (c); Mohapi; Mokoena; Thetsane

Lesotho substitutions:
Matsie; Tsotetsi; Thulo; Kalosane; Fothoane; Kamela; Masienyane