South African Football Association (SAFA) President Dr Danny Jordaan has wished South Africa’s Under-20 side well as they prepare to face Mozambique in a crunch COSAFA semi-final tie in Eswatini on Friday.
The South Africans face the defending champions Mozambique in the first semi-final on Friday, and then Zambia engages Angola in the second match later on the same day.
At stake will be places in next year’s U20 Africa Cup of Nations as the winners of the two semi-finals in Eswatini will qualify for the tournament to be played in Egypt, which will be used as the qualifier for the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Indonesia also next year.
“We have to be in the final as that will secure a place for the Africa Cup of Nations and four of the teams in the AFCON in Egypt will then qualify for the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Indonesia.
“But where we are today, the match against Mozambique is the most important. The results have shown that the goal difference between South Africa and Mozambique is one goal. They have a goal difference of six goals and South Africa have a goal difference of five.
“So there’s hardly anything in it and when it comes to the semifinals, it is not about what happened before. It is about what happens of the days of the match. We have to show guts and determination, win this match, and qualify for the final and thereby qualify for AFCON. And when we get to that final, we then have to work hard to represent COSAFA as the champions in the Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers in Egypt. I want to wish you the best.
“You have shown your fighting spirit, your determination and your guts to get here. All of these elements are required now as you face Mozambique. All the best, and I am sure you will prevail again. To coach Vela, the technical staff and all of you, all the best and best of luck.”
Mozambique coach Dario Monterio said they respect coach Vela Khumalo’s charges as they are one of the strongest teams in the COSAFA regions.
Khumalo described the Mozambicans as a very strong and organised team that is also tactically sound.
Source: South African Football Association