06 July 2018 – The thinking behind getting the Burger-King sponsored South Africa’s national under-20 to play Zambia in friendly match before they lock horns with Malawi in a crucial first leg third round Africa U-20 Cup of Nations qualifier back here at home, was pretty simple for coach Thabo Senong.
And that is, the Amajita coach wants to get rid of any form of rust his players might have gotten in their form during this off season. Like how they performed in their previous round second leg encounter against Mozambique where they won 3-0, Senong wants them functioning like a well-oiled machine. Senong believes a competitive match against the Zambian national juniors will help them do just that.
Amajita report for camp this Friday, and will fly out Lusaka on the very same day for their scheduled Sunday friendly clash against the host at Nkoloma Stadium (Kick-off 3pm).
“The challenge has been the off season,” Senong said. “We are well aware that most of our boys haven’t been playing regular football mainly because of that. We wanted to help aid that. We want them fit (for the Afcon U-20 qualifier). And that’s why we decided to organise this friendly match against Zambia.”
Amajita will return back into the country on Monday, where they’ll continue with their preparations for Sunday’s match against their Afcon U-20 opponents Malawi. The match will take place at Moruleng Stadium in Rustenburg. Kick-off is also at 3pm.
Meanwhile, Senong expressed his elation after seeing some of his national juniors such as Bidvest Wits’ Kobamelo Kodisang, Kaizer Chiefs’ Wiseman Meyiwa and Orlando Pirates Lyle Foster getting some game time with the first team this past season, adding that they must continue working really hard.
“We are happy with the fact that some of our boys are at the advanced training phase with their respective clubs,” Senong said. “That’s very crucial for the development of any player. However, we also stressed that success must always go hand in hand with humility. That’s key.
SA U20 MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM vs. MALAWI – AFCON QUALIFIER
8 – 23 JULY 2018
| NO. | PLAYER’S NAME | CLUB |
| GOALKEEPERS: | ||
| 1. | Khulekani KUBHEKA | Mamelodi Sundowns FC (SA) |
| 2. | Glen BAARTJIES | Mamelodi Sundowns FC (SA) |
| DEFENDERS: | ||
| 3. | Thabo MOLOISANE | Mamelodi Sundowns FC (SA) |
| 4. | Njabulo BLOM | Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA) |
| 5. | Keenan ABRAHAMS | Ajax Cape Town FC (SA) |
| 6. | Keith GROENEVELD | Standard Liege FC (Belgium) |
| 7. | Sibusiso MABILISO | Amazulu FC (SA) |
| 8. | Reece VETTER | Rand Burg FC (SA) |
| 9. | Malebogo MODISE | Mamelodi Sundowns FC (SA) |
| 10. | Givemore KHUPE | Bidvest Wits FC (SA) |
| 11. | Thabo MOKOENA | Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA) |
| 12 | Bradley CROSS | Bidvest Wits FC (SA) |
| MIDFIELDERS: | ||
| 13. | Jesse DONN | Ubuntu FC (SA) |
| 14. | Siphesihle MKHIZE | Mamelodi Sundowns FC (SA) |
| 15. | Mfanafikile DLAMINI | Golden Arrows FC (SA) |
| 16. | Keagan MITCHELL | Black Aces FC (SA) |
| 17. | Duncan ADONIS | Cape Town City FC (SA) |
| 18. | Nkosingiphile NGCOBO | Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA) |
| 19. | Tashreeq MATTHEWS | Ajax Cape Town FC (SA) |
| 20. | Kobamelo KODISANG | Bidvest Wits FC (SA) |
| 21. | Promise MKHUMA | Mamelodi Sundowns FC (SA) |
| 22. | Khanyisile MAYO | Supersport United FC (SA) |
| 23. | Wiseman MEYIWA | Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA) |
| STRIKERS | ||
| 24. | Shungu DUTIRO | Bidvest Wits FC (SA) |
| 25. | Lyle FOSTER | Orlando Pirates FC (SA) |
| 26. | Thabiso MONYANE | Orlando Pirates FC (SA) |