JOHANNESBURG - Head coach of the South African Under-20 Men’s National team (Amajita) Thabo Senong, believes preparations are coming together nicely.
Amajita are currently at their base camp in Suwon, Korea Republic, to get ready for the 2017 FIFA Under-20 World Cup.
The squad has already had four training sessions and they will face Costa Rica in an international friendly match on Monday.
The clash takes place in Gapyeong – about an hour and 30 minutes’ drive from Amajita’s base camp. Kick-off is at 4pm local time (9am SA time).
Senong says he is happy that the players are responding positively.
“The team is still adapting to different conditions and I have a strong belief that they will be settled come match time (against Costa Rica). It has been a tough few days for the entire travelling party, but I am impressed that the players are responding positively to the adjustments, especially training.
Thabo Senong's South Africa under-20 side. Photo: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
“The team’s management, in conjunction with the players, have adopted a strategy that will benefit the whole team,” said Senong.
“We face Costa Rica after we have done a lot of physical conditioning since our arrival here, so the match will be the last part of heavy physical training.
“Going forward, the focus will be on reducing the load and putting more emphasis on tactical work, team work and also build on the team’s morale – these become the most crucial characteristics of a team in a tournament because a team that sticks together, fights for one another and has a good cohesion, is always guaranteed to perform well.”
Costa Rica is in Group C of the World Cup along with Portugal, Iran and the other Southern African representative, Zambia.
The World Cup will be played from May 20 until June 11.