The South African Men’s Under 17 National Team (Amajimbos) is ready for Ghana in the first leg third round encounter of the African U-17 Youth Championship qualifiers.

 

The match is scheduled for Saturday, 17 November 2012 at the Sinaba Stadium in Daveyton.

 

 Kick-off is at 15h00.

 

This is the last round of qualification, and the home side is well aware that a positive result in the first leg will take them a step closer to qualifying for the 10th edition of the African U-17 Youth Championship scheduled to take place in Morocco from 13 – 27 April 2013.

 

South Africa has been camp since Sunday (11 November) and their head coach Ephraim ‘Shakes’ Mashaba is full of confidence, despite his charges having had little time to prepare as this match came during school exams.

 

“There is an air of optimism and excitement amongst the players as well as nerves, which is quite normal. We don’t want to make excuses as some of the players have been writing exams during our preparations, but we are confident we will do well,” said Mashaba.

 

“That we are playing at home does not guarantee us a victory, we have to work for it as much as Ghana will be doing. The best form of defence is attack and that is how we will approach this encounter – try to get an early goal and go for more, not defend it.”

 

Mashaba knows what to expect from the opponents.

 

“Ghana has very tough and skilful players. So we need to focus more on tactical work because we know they also have a very good history in youth football. We expect a difficult day at the office but my players know what’s required of them to get victory,” added Mashaba.

 

The return leg match will be played in Ghana in a fortnight.

 

Here is the full SA squad: 

 

NO.

 

  PLAYER’S NAME

 

  CLUB

 

  1

 

  Jody February

 

  Ajax Cape Town FC

 

  2

 

  Sibongiseni Mkhize

 

  Orlando Pirates FC

 

  3

 

  Rivaldo Coetzee

 

  Ajax Cape Town FC

 

  4

 

  Ayabulela Magqwaka

 

  Ajax Cape Town FC

 

  5

 

  Tshidiso Monamodi

 

  Bidvest Wits FC

 

  6

 

  Thembinkosi Phiri

 

  Bidvest Wits FC

 

  7

 

  Kabelo Seriba

 

  Supersport United FC

 

  8

  Ricardo Ndiki  Africa Sport Development  

9

 

  Sabelo Malunga

 

  Orlando Pirates FC

 

  10

 

  Bongane Mathebula

 

  Orlando Pirates FC

 

  11

 

  Tlotlo Leepile

 

  Stars of Africa FC

 

  12

 

  Morne Nel

 

  Old Mutual Academy

 

  13

 

  Tshepo Mashigo

 

  School of Excellence

 

  14

 

  Nhlakanipho Ntuli

 

  Orlando Pirates FC

 

  15

 

  Bongani Khanyile

 

  Orlando Pirates FC

 

  16

 

  Sanele Nxele

 

  Senaoane Gunners FC

 

  17

 

  Thamsanqa Masiya

 

  Sundowns FC

 

  18

 

  Fagrie Lakay

 

  Santos FC

 

  19

 

  Siyanda Ngcobo

 

  Orlando Pirates FC

 

  20 

 

  Tholumusa Mthembu

 

  Golden Arrows FC

 

  21 

 

  Sizwe Nkosi

 

  Bidvest Wits FC

 

  22

 

  Elias Monene

 

  Diambars Academy

 

  23

 

  Reanetse Ramatlhapeng

 

  Diambars Academy

 

  24

 

  Linda Bhengu

 

  Amazulu FC