Amajita head coach Thabo Senong believes playing against Mali will be a great test for the team. The Burger King-sponsored u20 Men’s National Team is in their final phase of preparations for the 2017 CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations..
Amajita head coach Thabo Senong believes playing against Mali will be a great test for the team. The Burger King-sponsored u20 Men’s National Team is in their final phase of preparations for the 2017 CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations – but before then they will face the Eagles of Mali in a practice match on Thursday, 16 February 2017 in Polokwane, Limpopo.
The clash will be played behind closed doors at Peter Mokaba Stadium, giving both teams the opportunity to test different approaches to the game. The two nations will then face each other again in an international friendly match on Sunday, 19 February 2017 at the same venue.
Kickoff is at 15h00.
“Our two matches against Mali will help us monitor the applications of our team. These fixtures will be a great physical and mental test for the players and we look forward to polishing up on a few things,” says Senong.
“We know that set pieces will be very crucial, both in defending and executing them – we saw our mistakes against Zambia this past weekend. Finishing in front of goal is another important factor and also decision-making, especially during critical phases of the game.”
South Africa is in Group B for the 2017 CAF African Cup of Nations, alongside Cameroon, Senegal and Sudan, while Group A consists of hosts Zambia, Egypt and Guinea.
The top four in the tournament will qualify for 2017 edition of the FIFA u20 World Cup to be hosted by South Korea in May.