Amajita Coach Raymond Mdaka Demands Momentum Against Eswatini in U20 AFCON Qualifiers

Amajita head coach Raymond Mdaka has made it clear that South Africa will not take their foot off the pedal when they face Eswatini in their final Group B match of the CAF U20 Men’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on Wednesday. South Africa have made an impressive start to the qualifying campaign, recording convincing victories over Lesotho and Angola to move to the top of Group B with six points. That strong beginning has placed Amajita in a favourable position, as a draw against Eswatini would be enough to secure their place in the semi-finals. Despite having some room for manoeuvre, Mdaka wants his players to maintain the intensity and attacking approach that have produced their two victories. The match will take place at the ABB Stadium at 12h00, with Angola facing Lesotho in the other Group B fixture at the same time.

South Africa opened their campaign with a commanding 4-0 victory over Lesotho before following it up with a 2-0 win against Angola. Those results have given Amajita six points and a strong position at the top of the Group B standings. The team has also kept clean sheets in both matches, providing further evidence of a solid start to the competition. Their performances have given Mdaka an opportunity to consider changes to his starting lineup without losing sight of the importance of the final group match. With qualification still to be confirmed, however, the coach knows that his players must approach the Eswatini fixture with the same concentration they showed in their opening two games.

Mdaka has indicated that fresh legs could be introduced against Eswatini as he manages his squad through the tournament. The coach explained that every player was selected with the expectation that they would contribute during the competition, meaning opportunities could now be given to members of the squad who have played fewer minutes. At the same time, he stressed that any changes must be carefully balanced according to the opponent and the way South Africa want to approach the game. The possibility of rotation therefore does not mean that Amajita will treat the match as less important. Mdaka wants the players coming into the team to maintain the standards established during the first two matches and ensure that the overall level of performance does not drop.

The coach has placed particular emphasis on maintaining momentum because South Africa have shown improvement with every match so far. Amajita have created scoring opportunities while also limiting their opponents, giving the team a strong platform heading into the final group fixture. Mdaka believes that continuing with the same intensity can help the team maintain its attacking rhythm. He has also reminded his players that every match presents a new challenge and requires a fresh commitment. Even though South Africa only need a draw to secure a semi-final place, the coach wants the team to compete at full intensity and avoid allowing the qualification situation to affect their approach.

Eswatini will enter the match with their own motivation after experiencing contrasting results in their opening two fixtures. They began the qualifiers with a heavy 4-0 defeat to Angola, leaving them under pressure after the first round of matches. However, they responded strongly by defeating Lesotho 3-2 in their second game. That victory demonstrated their ability to recover from a difficult opening result and means South Africa cannot afford to underestimate them. Eswatini will have their own objectives in the final group match, making the encounter another test of Amajita’s concentration and discipline.

The simultaneous fixture between Angola and Lesotho will also have a bearing on the final Group B standings. While South Africa currently lead the group with six points, the other teams will be fighting for their own positions when they meet at the same time. The results mean that the final group standings will only become clear once both matches have been completed. South Africa therefore need to remain focused on their own performance rather than becoming distracted by developments in the other fixture. Mdaka’s emphasis on treating every game as a new challenge reflects the importance of maintaining that focus throughout the match.

Amajita will also have to cope without defender Lakham Gqongo, who suffered a head injury during the 2-0 victory over Angola. Gqongo was stretchered off during the match and was taken to hospital for assessment following the incident. He has since been released and is reportedly recuperating well, but he remains under observation by the team’s medical staff. His absence removes one defensive option from Mdaka’s plans for the Eswatini match. The coaching staff will therefore need to manage the situation carefully while ensuring that the available defenders are prepared to handle the demands of another competitive fixture.

The potential changes to the starting lineup could give other Amajita players an opportunity to demonstrate what they can contribute to the tournament. Mdaka has made it clear that the squad was selected with the intention of using its depth, which means players who have not featured prominently could now receive valuable minutes. However, those players will need to adapt quickly and maintain the team’s established standards. The coach will be looking for a performance that combines squad rotation with the same discipline, energy and attacking intent shown in the opening matches. For the players given an opportunity, the Eswatini fixture could be an important chance to make an impression while helping South Africa maintain their position in the competition.

The bigger objective for Amajita is to progress to the next stage of the CAF U20 Men’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Only the group winners and the best second-placed team will advance to the semi-finals, which makes every point important during the group stage. South Africa’s six points from two matches have put them in a strong position, but qualification must still be secured on the field. A draw against Eswatini would be enough for Amajita to confirm their semi-final place, while a victory would allow them to finish the group stage with a perfect record. The players will therefore have to combine the confidence gained from their previous results with the concentration required to complete the group stage successfully.

The other groups are also taking shape, with Namibia currently leading Group A and Zambia at the top of Group C. The eventual Group A winner will face the best runner-up in the semi-finals, while the Group B winner will meet the Group C winner. These permutations underline the importance of finishing at the top of Group B, as the final position will determine the next challenge in the competition. For now, however, Mdaka and his players must concentrate on Eswatini before thinking about the semi-final stage. Amajita have built valuable momentum through their victories over Lesotho and Angola, and the coach wants that progress to continue.

Wednesday’s meeting with Eswatini will therefore be about more than simply securing the point South Africa need to progress. It will test whether Amajita can maintain their standards while potentially making changes to the lineup and managing the physical demands of the tournament. Mdaka has made his expectations clear, with the coach insisting that fresh players must contribute without disrupting the momentum created by the opening victories. The absence of Gqongo is another factor the team must manage as the medical staff continue to monitor his recovery. With a semi-final place within reach, Amajita have an opportunity to complete the group stage strongly and carry their positive form into the next round of the U20 AFCON qualifiers.