SA U20 coach thanks PSL coaches for cooperation

Amajita has been having challenges in the past few days with player unavailability, with clubs having just started the Betway Premiership season and struggling with depth. 

SABC Sport has learnt that, from the original squad selected, seven players have had to be withdrawn to remain with their teams, and Mdaka says it’s important they develop a good relationship with the coaches.

"I think this is one thing that we need to continue doing, is continue interacting with those coaches – even before there is a tournament, or during the preparations," said Mdaka.

"I want to appreciation a few coaches that I personally spoke to, and words coming from the coaches to say, 'We really don't want you to fail because of players, we will try all we can,' and that is really and highly appreciated.

"As much as I cannot mention, this one said this, but I've spoken to a number of coaches."

Amajita have not qualified for the U20 AFCON since 2019, when coach Thabo Senong took a team consisting of Oswin Appollis, Lyle Foster, and Thabiso Monyane to the U20 World Cup in Poland, and Mdaka fully understands the big task at hand.

"At the same time, with the developments we're having now in terms of the players playing mostly in the PSL, I think it makes it important and it also gives us light to say we need to win and qualify," he added.

"Winning also makes you go to AFCON, and from AFCON – I think all the players, wherever they are, want to play in the [U20] World Cup, so it will be nice for everybody as well as the country to be there." 

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