Patrick Autata: Amajita defied the odds to conquer Africa

Autata, who has been leading the team since Mozambique – where they won the COSAFA U20 Championship last year, has surpassed past generations who fell short. 

The Cape Town City midfielder played a key part in the team’s trajectory, having often made an impact off the bench, and says many considered them underdogs coming to the tournament.

"It's been a very long journey, starting from Mozambique, and coming into this tournament, I think we were definitely the underdogs and people didn't believe in us," Autata told SABC Sport.

"But I think we used that as motivation to get to where we are today, and I'd like to thank the technical staff, the medical team and the players for all their efforts, they did not go unseen.

"I thank the coach personally for giving me the responsibility to lead a wonderful and very talented group of boys, and I want to say thank you to them.

"We made it easier for each other and worked for one another as a team, so without the word team I don't think we'd be here today." 

Autata again came off the bench early in the second half, in what was a tactical move that played a huge role in dealing with Morocco’s main attacking threats.

"We analysed their number 8, he's the one that makes the team play, so we needed someone energetic who will chase, cut the supply and just stick with him to destabilise their midfield," he explained.

"So when I went on, the coach told me to stick with the number 8, just cut the supply, destabilise everything, and then we will get something, and we got something."

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