Amajita head coach Raymond Mdaka has stated that he is “confident” in his side ahead of the upcoming U20 FIFA World Cup.
After qualifying for the tournament by winning the U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt in May, the head coach has selected his squad and is complete with his preparations for the tournament.
“Yeah, I’m not excited per se, but I’m confident,” said Mdaka, speaking to the media.
He stated that the team’s familiarity with one another inspires confidence in the coaching staff ahead of the tournament.
“You look at the team as a whole, it’s more of the players that we have been with. It gives you confidence because you know how much they can do, how much they can fight, and how much they can give. So, that’s one area that gives us confidence to say it’s a team that can compete, or that can play and represent the country,” he said.
Mdaka named 17 players from Amajita’s U20 AFCON winning campaign earlier this year in his 21-man squad for the FIFA World Cup.
The 58-year-old stated that this squad selection was the hardest he has had, citing the quality of the players available.
“Honestly, this was the first time where I could stay with the list for more than two weeks without releasing [it]. You would write it down today and change it tomorrow. You go for a match practice, then when you come back, you change. You come the following day, you go for a session, you come, you sit, you change. It was very, very difficult, very complex. Mostly because of the kind of quality that is there,” he said.
Mdaka stated that his final decision came down to balance and ensuring that his selections covered depth at all positions.
“But honestly, as the coach, as the technical team, we had to sit and try to get the right balance in terms of the positions. Having to go with 21, including three goalkeepers, so it gives you a minus in terms of the infield players. So, what you have to do is to make sure that some and most of the players that you take are those that can cover you in different areas.”
The team will depart from OR Tambo International Airport this evening for Chile, where they will face France next Monday at the Estadio El Teniente in Rancagua.
