1 February 2019 – Taking it one game at a time will play a key role in helping South Africa’s National Under-20 squad (Amajita) achieve their main objective in this year’s CAF Africa Under-20 Cup of Nations tournament.
These are the words of Amajita head coach Thabo Senong, who made it very clear that his side’s intention is to reach the final four of this Niger edition tournament, which will guarantee them a spot in the upcoming FIFA Under-20 World Cup set to take place in Poland later in the year.
Amajita will begin their AFCON Group A contention against hosts Niger on 2 February 2019 at the Stade Seyni Kountché at 17H30 (SA time).
They will then play Nigeria on 5 February in the very same match venue before they travel to Maradi for their final group encounter against Burundi to take place at the Stade de Maradi.
All of these matches will kick-off at 17h30 (SA time).
This eight-nation continental showdown is set to run from 2 – 17 February.
“Our objective is to get ourselves out of this group, which will automatically earn us a place in the upcoming FIFA Under-20 World Cup,” Senong said. “We face Niger in our first group match, and we had a very good look at them. They have a very experienced coach who took their Niger Under-17s to the FIFA World Cup a few years ago. He is now working with the Under-20 side who reached last year’s WAFU tournament final and had good friendlies as well.
Senong added: “With that said, any of the eight nations competing in this year’s AFCON tournament do stand a chance of winning it.
“We have prepared well and we are ready for this upcoming battle.”
Meanwhile, Senong alongside his Amajita players sent well wishes to former Amajita teammate, Wiseman Meyiwa, in his future endeavours following a motor vehicle accident which forced him into early retirement.
Senong also thanked the 19-year old for wishing the team well in this biennial continental showpiece, adding that they will do everything in their power to make him and the country proud.
Meyiwa goes to early retirement after having represented his nation in two junior FIFA World Cup tournaments. He played in the 2015 FIFA Under-17 World Cup under coach Molefi Ntseki, and then the 2017 FIFA Under-20 World Cup under the leadership of coach Senong.