FIFA U20 World Cup: Mdaka shares recipe for success Amajita are feeding on

Amajita coach Raymond Mdaka has opened up on what is pushing his team to success at the FIFA U20 World Cup where they have made it to the Round of 16.

South Africa booked a Round of 16 date with Colombia when they beat the United States of America 2-1 in their final group stage match on Sunday night to finish second in Group E.

They, however, had to do it the hard way as the US went ahead first, Noah Cobb heading home from a freekick after 13 minutes, before Amajita’s tenacity saw them force an equaliser through Joshua Wynder’s own goal five minutes later.

South Africa would complete the turnaround against the run of play on the stroke of halftime when Gomolemo Kekana completed the move.

What is giving Amajita players confidence?

With the US hogging possession and creating plenty of chances, it was down to great defending from Tylon Smith and impressive saves of goalkeeper Fletcher Smythe-Lowe to preserve South Africa’s lead, the Cosafa and African champions reaching the knockout rounds.

Mdaka says the good run is a result of the unity within his squad, added to the support received from South Africans which has made the players not want to let them down.

“I’m happy because we showed the character. When you see the score at the end of the first half [2-1] and you need to play the second half, [it’s not easy] where you have to maintain and manage the game under pressure,” Mdaka said as quoted by TimesLive.

“They [US] would come [at us], of course, but we were able to manage the game tactically and character is always very important for a team.

“Credit to the boys, to the technical team, the support staff and everybody because the atmosphere always gives the boys energy to go, and we are into the knockout stage.”

Mdaka is in awe of great support from Mzansi

“Something I like is the support we are getting from home. It shows we are here as a country,” the tactician further said.

“The unity that prevails in the team, all of us work together. In Cosafa it was brilliant, at Afcon brilliant, again here we are showing the character a national team is supposed to have. We are together and we’ll push even in the next game.”

Having secured their place in the knockout rounds, Mdaka knows it will not be easy, especially against a South American team, but is relishing the challenge.

“Obviously you have your first goal, which is to go beyond the group stage,” he added. “The next match is different because you will not play for a draw but for the result. We’ll try, we’ll continue with the same spirit and show we are South Africa and here to compete.”

Amajita will play Colombia at Estadio Fiscal de Talca in Talca, over 250km south of the capital Santiago, on Wednesday (9pm SA time).