AYC 2015: South Africa U20 coach Thabo Senong wants belief and dedication from players

Published on: 06 March 2015
AYC 2015: South Africa U20 coach Thabo Senong wants belief and dedication from players
Thabo Senog

South Africa U20 coach Thabo Senong has emphasised the need for belief, dedication and focus as recipe for success in any professional project.

The Amajita open their campaign Ghana on Monday before playing Mali on Thursday, 12 March before rounding off their group stage assignment against Zambia on Sunday, 15 March.

Amajita have been in Senegal for over a week but four players joined the rest of the squad on Tuesday.

They are Supersport United trio of goalkeeper, Dumisani Msibi, defender Kabelo Seriba and midfielder Morne Nel together with Bloemfontein Celtics striker Dumisane Zuma.

"We are ready for the games. When you have desire to do well, have a good spirit and you are united in a common cause, results will take care of themselves," said Senong.

The youthful mentor said while there is always anxiety that goes with the opening game, the entire technical staff had strategised on how to normalise tensions.

"The philosophy on settling nerves in a coaching environment is normally to get an early goal. We are not in an easy group; far from it, but we have come here to do well, qualify for New Zealand and pick it from there."

Senong said he was geared to do well for the team but refused to put his charges under pressure by trying to emulate Amajimbos who finished runners-up in the CAF African Youth championships in Niger.

He added that part of the secret in team success is teamwork adding that during the week-long stay in Senegal he had managed to mould the team into a good unit.

"This is the future; we are building the future South African team. It is never about me but developing the future generation and my main aim is to leave a lasting impression. I want to contribute to the nation building,” said Senong.

The Amajita mentor said what he would like to see after the tournament was to see most of the players playing regularly within their clubs and most should secure overseas contracts if all goes well.

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