Amajita keep feet on the ground after Sierra Leone triumph at AFCON U20

By Velile Mnyandu
7th May 2025

Amajita head coach Raymond Mdaka is not getting carried away by his team’s emphatic 4-1 win over AFCON U20 Group A leaders Sierra Leone, at the Suez Canal stadium in Ismailia, last night.

The win sees Amajita moving to the second spot in the group, with six points, just a point behind Sierra Leone, who have played all four of their matches.

Next for Mdaka and his team will be a COSAFA derby against Zambia on Friday in Cairo, and to seal the qualification to the last eight, they need to avoid a loss against the Zambians.

"You see, we always stick to the plan. We knew we were in a group of five teams, so we need to play well in all of the matches and give respect to the other four opponents.

"We will still approach Zambia with the same mentality and same understanding, so when we get onto the field, we know, this is how we play," said Mdaka.

READ: AFCON U20 rocked by age cheating allegations

For the first time in this tournament, Amajita strikers came to the party. Jody Ah-Shene and substitute Thabang Mahlangu scored three goals. Mdaka says this augurs well for the team going forward in this competition.

"We can't say exactly how many strikers we have, but all of them offer something different. For example, Jody is tactical, he understands the movements he has to make, and how to find the half spaces in order to combine with his teammates. Thabang, on the other hand, has got energy and runs a lot, so he helps us in that way," explained the coach.

Coming into this game, Sierra Leone were unbeaten, with two wins and a draw. Amajita had to be strategic in their approach. After an early goal in the first half from Jody Ah-Shene, Mdaka says it was important to manage the game in the second half.

"You always need a plan, even before you go to the field. What made us relax in the match was struggling a little bit in the first half, but when we came back out in the second half, we were able to settle. When you come back and find a way to settle after sustaining pressure, it then gives courage to the players," concluded a very satisfied Mdaka.