With less than a month before the U20 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) kicks off, Amajita coach Raymond Mdaka is beaming with confidence that his side is all ready, set, and fired up to go up against some of the best teams on the continent.
The SA U20 national team will be participating in the much-anticipated junior Afcon, scheduled to take place from April 27 to May 18 in Egypt.
Mdaka, who is going to have a good headache in selecting his final squad as he is spoilt for choice, said one of the things that make him confident in his team is that most of his players ply their trade in the Premiership and are used to the intensity of top-flight football.
“One thing that makes me confident that we will do well is that most of my players are playing in a competitive league in the PSL, which brings a lot of optimism,” Mdaka told
Sunday World after their 4-1 friendly match against Botswana last Tuesday.
“So, you worry less about them understanding how you want to play in the team, your tactics, and the match fitness is also there.
“I mean, they are playing at the highest level where there are a lot of good coaches, so it makes a very big difference to us in terms of our performances.”
Mdaka’s lads played two games against their neighbours, Botswana, where they pummeled them 6-0 in the first match and wrapped it up with a 4-1 victory.
Mdaka has since confirmed that his side has a final camp lined up before the tournament.
“I think the games have given us very good preparation. We must go for the last camp, where we will also have a few days here before we go to the Ivory Coast, which we think is the camp where we will try and knit up everything.
“We may not say when the next camp is as of now, but we wish to have it earlier, around the 15th of April. And chances are, before the tournaments, we will play a friendly match against one of the countries that will be in the Afcon as well.
“That is what we are pushing for, and based on the talks and arrangements we have had, it looks like we may get it. The earlier we camp, the better, because it will help us acclimate to that side,” Mdaka concluded.
