Amajita World Cup qualification would show SA technical growth Walter Steenbok

Amajita face Democratic Republic Congo (DRC), in the fourth and final quarterfinal at 21:00 (20:00 SA) in Ismailia tonight.

Speaking to SABC Sport on the sidelines of the U20 AFCON Technical Study Group (TSG) media briefing, where they were presenting their report for the group stages, Steenbok says this is the culmination of the good that has been done. 

"Very, very crucial, you know, it really cements on the beautiful work that has been done from the coaching education perspective through the national playing philosophy and it would really again try to help give a lot of confidence to many programs that I've left behind for the association,” Steenbok said.

“To say that, this is the journey and this is the way it has to be done and it's gonna be an exciting game and not only to South Africa but to the all eight teams in the quarterfinals. It's gonna be an exciting day and of course, four teams will go to the World Cup."

READ: Amajita gear up for pivotal clash with World Cup qualification within reach

It was Steenbok who appointed the current technical team and laid the groundwork for them when the new U20 project started at the beginning of 2024.

The national playing philosophy topped his priorities when he was at SAFA, and technical experts here have been raving about the team’s identity.

The hard-to-please Steenbok says it can be better, but there’s good progress.

"It can be better but you also remember last year, we also had a national methodology workshop where we tried to cement and also align how national teams must play. You know, how to keep the identity and of course allow the tactical freedom and of course the technical ability of the players to come out when they are playing,” he explained.

“A very, very slow patient build up, good decision making. So, these are the elements that we have tried to install in the national playing philosophy but of course they are not the only team in this tournament who have really shown the true identity of their own country.

“There's also been several countries in this tournament and now going into the quarterfinal a lot about how teams express themselves and of course teams that don't play with a lot of anxiety, you know, will be the teams that for me will be able to progress in this tournament."