South Africa U20 men’s team head coach Raymond Mdaka says his side will stick to their game plan and maintain the momentum as they prepare to face Zambia on Friday in a crucial AFCON group stage encounter.
Amajita will take on the Junior Chipolopolo in the final group match, with both teams aiming to secure a place in the quarter-finals of the tournament.
South Africa revived their hopes of progressing to the knockout stages with a convincing 4-1 victory over Sierra Leone on Tuesday night. The result saw Amajita climb to second place in the group standings with six points—just one behind group leaders Sierra Leone, who have already secured their place in the quarterfinals.
Speaking ahead of the Zambia clash, Mdaka remained focused and committed to the team’s original strategy.
“You see, we always stick to the plan. We knew we were in a group of five teams, so we need to play well in all the matches and give respect to the other four opponents,” he said.
“We will still approach Zambia with the same mentality and same understanding, so when we get onto the field, we know, this is how we play,” he added.
The coach also praised his attacking options, noting that the players have grown in confidence in front of the goal.
“We can’t say exactly how many strikers we have, but all of them offer something different. For example, Jody is tactical; he understands the movements he has to make and how to find the half spaces in order to combine with his teammates. Thabang, on the other hand, has got energy and runs a lot, so he helps us in that way,” concluded Mdaka.
Meanwhile, a defeat for South Africa would end their hopes of progressing to the knockout stages, making Friday’s clash a must-win encounter.
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