Kegan Johannes expects better in decisive U23 Afcon qualifier

The first game at the Dobsonville Stadium on Thursday ended 1-1, giving the visitors an away goal that takes them closer to the youth Afcon, where the three teams to represent CAF at the global showpiece in Paris will be confirmed.

Johannes says the time spent together in camp will translate to a better display. 

"I think amongst the group we haven't trained a lot together but obviously as you can see the cohesion now, it's getting together. We are getting to know everyone, and what their strengths are, and playing towards that. The way we play, we understand what's expected of us. Going forward, we can only expect better for ourselves," he said.

The skipper adds that there’s constant discussions among players about going all the way to France next year, which would be the U23’s second successive Olympic Games participation with the previous group being there two years ago in Tokyo.

"It will be a great feeling for us to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations and from there to go to the Olympics. Obviously, that's the main goal. Pressure comes with the game, that's just part of the game but it's how we deal with and turn that pressure into motivation," he added.

Coach David Notoane’s side had to come from behind in the first leg after Congo took the lead, and Johannes says they were out of their comfort zone.

"We started the game, and throughout the first half we got a bit anxious, we started by playing a game that favoured them and that was not part of our game plan. Second half when we came back, I think we started playing a bit more and that gave us some more momentum," he concluded.

But Johannes remains confident they can come back from Congo having qualified for the Afcon later this year.

"The result was not what we would have wanted, we wanted to win at home but it's not over. We go there, and we believe in what we have in our talent. The guys are more than capable to go out there and win," he concluded.