JOHANNESBURG South Africas national Under-17 soccer team Amajimbos (Pictured) have promised fireworks in their international friendly match against Zimbabwes Young Warriors, to be played at the new Makwarela Stadium in Thohoyandou, Limpopo province, this afternoon.The international friendly, which will mark the official opening of the Makwarela Stadium, is aimed at giving the two sides technical departments a chance to fine-tune their players in preparation for future youth tournaments.
But Amajimbos, who admit that their northern counterparts have always given them a tough time in previous encounters, said they were going all out for victory.
I do not know anything about the squad that Zimbabwe have selected for this game, but I know that they always produce good sides that play football with passion, Solly Luvhengo, the South African Under-17 coach told The Zimbabwean on Sunday last week.
At all levels, Zimbabwean soccer teams are fighters who do not want to lose, especially when they play against South Africa. However, I have a talented group of youngsters here, who are aged between 15 and 16, whom I want to groom into future stars and for that reason, they must play against such success-hungry teams like Zimbabwe, take knocks and assume strong characters, he said.
The Amajimbos mentor said although some of his players were drawn from ABSA Premiership clubs like Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and several academies in the country, others were still raw talent from the rural areas.
They are rough diamonds in whom I still have to foster both confidence and a fighting spirit, said Luvhengo, who also coaches National First Division Inland Stream side Winners Park.
Bit by bit I am managing to bring out the best in these boys and I hope that they will manage to overcome Zimbabwe, which is their first main assignment, and continue to perform so that they make our sponsors proud.
Luvhengo’s charges spent the better part of last week in camp in Thohoyandou in preparation for the game against Zimbabwe.
The South African squad:
Goalkeepers Steven Hoffman (Edgemead-Goodwood FC), Stanton Weir (Ajax Cape Town juniors).
Defenders Siyabulela Mose (Alex Isibizo Academy), Mpilo Ngcongo (Umlazi Academy), Phumlani Ntshangase (Umlazi Barsenal), Gino Moeketsi (SuperSport United juniors), Menzi Ngcobo, Khumbulani Mkhize (both Orlando Pirates juniors).
Midfielders Tshepo Liphoko, Sandile Khoza (both Orlando Pirates juniors), Avela Cezu (School of Excellence), Dean Patricio, Jonathan Robertson (both Balfour Alexandra), Katleho Molaba (Ekurhuleni Academy), Maselaleo Seanego (Kaizer Chiefs juniors).
Strikers Simphiwe Zwane (Highlands Park), Sakhile Ngubo (Orlando Pirates juniors), Thabani Mthembu (Umlazi Academy).
Post published in: Zimbabwe Sports News