Just a few days after winning the Cosafa Under-20 Challenge Cup without conceding a goal and ultimately qualifying for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), Amajita coach Raymond Mdaka has his sight on his biggest task yet next year.
South Africa beat Zambia 2-0 in the final of the CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations/Cosafa qualifier in Mozambique last week Saturday.
Mdaka’s troops clinched the competition in style, as they concluded the tournament without having to pick the ball from the back of their net — a feat that left the up-and-rising coach in awe.
“At times, as coaches, we tend to celebrate goals because they give us results, but, in this case, we celebrated not conceding a single goal,” Mdaka opened up to Sunday World this week.
“You saw how good the team was playing and the understanding from the players. We adapted to the principles and had the technical understanding of having to sweat when we were out of possession and having to immediately transit. Everybody needs to work and cover for each other.
“We looked so good, the boys enjoyed [it], and you couldn’t say we were defending, whereas we were defending, so it gave us energy levels to be able to stand and not concede.”
Previously, the SA junior national teams were nowhere to be seen and had irregular games to build chemistry between players and coaches.
Ahead of the Afcon qualifiers, the U-20s had not played an international match for two years, despite Fifa’s complaints about Safa’s lack of focus on preparing its junior national teams for international competitions.
However, since the appointment of Mdaka, the tide has turned, and the former Marumo Gallants mentor hopes that the team will continue to forge forward, as he is now focussing on the preparations for next year.
“Sometimes you close your eyes and focus on one thing, knowing that immediately the next movement should come.
“We must now meet with the technical director [Walter Steenbok], do reports and have meetings about the way forward, and that is the way to go.
“It’s just that I cannot confirm anything, but I believe that [getting more competitive matches] is the process that will follow.”
The Afcon squad is expected to have a nice potpourri of young players and experienced top tier footballers like Shandre Campbell, Siyabonga Mabena, Emile Witbooi, Luke Baartman and Mfundo Vilakazi, to mention a few.
Baartman and Vilakazi were not part of the team, but they could be available for Afcon.
The dates and host nation for the 2025 Afcon are yet to be announced by CAF.
