28 January 2019 – South Africa’s national Under-20 (Amajita) midfielder and forward Kobamelo Kodisang says he felt honoured when he made the final 21-man squad that is to represent South Africa in this year’s CAF Africa Under-20 Cup of Nations set to take place in Niger.
However, added that excitement has now shifted to a hunger which sees him now more than determined to help the national juniors reach this year’s biennial continental showpiece semi-final stages.
And that is because that top four finish in this eight-nation continental tournament set to run from 2 — 17 February 2019, will see Amajita book their place in the 2019 FIFA Under-20 World Cup set to take place in Poland later in the year.
In order to achieve that goal though, Amajita will have to produce dominant performances in their Group A encounters against hosts Niger, Burundi and Nigeria.
The A.D Sanjoanense forward added that he had all the confidence in the world that the national juniors will do everything in their power to see themselves qualifying for the global event.
“I was so happy when it was announced that I made the team,” Kodisang said. “Happy, because we had a very talented 28-man provisional squad, and everybody was just too good that they could have easily sauntered their way into the team.
“To be in the team means the coach has confidence in the players he has selected to represent the nation at this level. We, as players, are well aware of that responsibility and we will do everything in our power to make the country proud.”
Asked what his personal goals for this tournament were, the 19-year old said: “My focus now is to help the team reach this year’s AFCON Under-20 final. That is what everybody wants in this team and we, as players, are determined to give it our utmost best.”