Bafana Bafana must emulate Amajita’s success

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OUTGOING Amajita coach Shakes Mashaba, who saw the u.20 team qualify for the AF Youth championships in Senegal next year after beating Cameroon 2-1 at Peter Mokaba Stadium for a 3-2 aggregate score, said Bafana Bafana must emulate the youngsters and complete an unfolding turnaround fortunes within all South Africa’s national football teams.

“If we didn’t get that extra goal it would mean that we will go into a penalty shootout immediately,” said National Bafana Bafana Head coach, Shakes Mashaba at a press conference on Monday September 1, after having travelled from Polokwane soon after the Amajita win and challenging the Senior Men’s National team to maintain the high standards set by the youngsters.

“This is not always about qualification, but it is about how what we must do to get to that qualification. I have always said that the fortunes of South African football have totally changed for the better in recent times, and it is a good feeling to go into the Bafana Bafana camp with the u.20 CAF qualification in the bag. Now it is time to move on, and I am asking the senior players to take this positive vibe forward.

“This is great for the country and football at large. What I would now like to request is for the country to rally around all our national teams, because we are bringing that pride back,” said Mashaba, adding he would give the South African Football Association (SAFA) his own views about the u.20 squad and whom he thinks will take the team forward.

“I am proud of these young guys. They showed determination, guts and a ‘never say die’ attitude. That is what I expect of everyone who dons the national colours. Patriotism and passion are non-negotiable for me,” said Mashaba.

Meanwhile, in congratulating Mashaba, SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan said Amajita’s qualification was a culmination of the new executive’s broader plan to develop South African football through Vision 2022.

“Since our coming into office in September 2013, we have made soccer development our fundamental philosophy, and as all can see, things are beginning to fall into place.

“Amajita have now joined Banyana Banyana in qualifying for a major continental tournament, and our u.17 are two games away (against Egypt) from qualifying for the CAF Junior champs to be played in Niger next year. We are right in the middle of an exciting evolution,” said Dr Jordaan.

“To us (SAFA), the watchword is development, development and more development. Our u.13 and 15 leagues for both girls and boys are being played around our 52 regions, and this chain reaction culminates in our junior national teams performing at the highest level.”