27 May 2019 – South Africa’s National Under-20 team (Amajita), will do everything in their power to fight for the possible remaining six points in their group to have a realistic chance of progressing to the knock out stages.

According to Amajita’s midfielder Leo Thethani, Amjita still have a fighting chance to progress into the knockout rounds of this year’s FIFA Under-20 World Cup tournament currently taking place in Poland.

Thethani explained that it was quite unfortunate that they did not win their opening group match against Argentina. The tenacious midfieder however said that the team has now moved on from that defeat with the focus now centred on winning their remaining two Group F matches .

In their next group match, Amajita will take on Korea Republic on Tuesday night at Tychy Stadium.

The match will kick-off at 20h30.

Thethani explained that the team is highly motivated with their performance against Argentina which was only rocked back after the South Americans had been awarded a controversial penalty and soon after Amajita had a player sent off.

“We need to push for a win in the match against Korea Republic and then Portugal. We went into the Argentina game with the intention of winning that match,” Thethani said.

“Unfortunately things did not go our way following the penalty and the red card we got. My performance in that match was mainly centred on proving to our nation that we are fighters and not quitters. We were awarded a penalty which Lyle Foster converted and unfortunately we could not come back after the earlier set-backs,” he said.

“Looking at our remaining two matches,” Thethani added. “I have a strong belief that we are going to get the needed points which will guarantee us a place in the knockout rounds. We have worked really hard and our aim is to now push for all six points in our remaining two group matches.”

Thethani added it felt great to be back in the national Under-20 set-up after having missed out on both the 2018 COSAFA Under-20 Championship and the 2019 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations tournaments due to a yearlong meniscus injury he had suffered.

“It feels great to be back in the national set-up after being away for some time,” Thethani said. “I missed out on both the 2018 COSAFA Under-20 Championship and 2019 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations because of the of a meniscus injury I got. I was out for a year and I am truly grateful to be representing my country again. I intend giving it my best for the nation.”