2017-03-01



Thabo Senong © supersport.com

Victory against Senegal for the South African Under-20 Men’s National Team will see them qualify for the semifinals of the CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations currently under way in Zambia.

The two nations meet on Thursday, 2 March in a Group B clash at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.

Kickoff is at 6pm CAT (SA, GMT+2).

The match will broadcast live on SuperSport 9.

Amajita head coach Thabo Senong has cautioned his players, saying that playing against a wounded Senegal will be a challenge.

“This will be a different game to the one we played against Cameroon, and I told my players to build on from that performance. We are facing a Senegal team that is wounded and will do anything and everything in their power to get a win, so they will come hard at us. Remember a loss for them could mean curtains for the World Cup spot, so we have to be really prepared for anything,” said Senong.

“They played with a one man less due to a red card, and I believe that was the main factor in their draw. We have analysed the past matches – us versus Cameroon and Senegal against Sudan – so we are confident that our game plan will work against Senegal, but then again it will not be easy. I said to the players to forget about the previous match because the most important game is the one before us as we know that victory will see us book our place at the Fifa World Cup and I am positive about the outcome.”

All the players are available for selection including captain Tercious Malepe, who served his one match suspension, as well as striker Phakamani Mahlambi who arrived late in camp due to club commitments and missed the opening match of the tournament.

South Africa are top of Group B with three points following their 3-1 demolition of the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon on Monday (27 February).

Senegal and Sudan are second and third respectively, with a point each, while Cameroon sit at the bottom of the table and are yet to register a point.

© supersport.com

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