Mdaka: A Grateful Journey

Amajita head coach Raymond Mdaka praised his team’s resolve and perseverance after a thrilling 1-0 triumph over Morocco in the AFCON U20 final held at the 30 June Stadium on Sunday.

The decisive goal was scored by 18-year-old Gamoleno Kekana, who unleashed a remarkable shot from outside the box, thanks to a clever assist from goalkeeper Fletcher Lowe.

Mdaka expressed admiration for his players and coaching staff for their extraordinary journey, overcoming challenging matches from the group stages to the championship game.

“Kudos to the boys. They’ve made us proud, and we are immensely thankful to everyone involved, particularly the players and technical team,” Mdaka commented.

This victory represents a sweet redemption for Amajita, who faced defeat against Morocco in the 1997 final.

This victory also marks their first AFCON title since 1995 and their second trophy under Mdaka’s leadership, following last year’s COSAFA Championship win.

Mdaka emphasized the team’s strong defensive performance, stating, “We adhere to our strengths and emphasize not allowing goals.”

The coach’s strategies proved effective, as Amajita successfully subdued Morocco’s attacking threats, achieving a hard-fought victory.

This achievement has paved the way for Amajita’s participation in the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile this September. With two titles already secured, the team is targeting a third under Mdaka’s guidance.

“From our early matches in the group stages, the results were tight, often 1-0, but we managed to persevere to the final and come out on top,” Mdaka remarked.

As Amajita gets ready to compete against the world’s best, Mdaka’s insights will highlight the squad’s resilience and commitment.

With their sights set on Chile, the team aims to capitalize on their momentum and make a notable impression on the international stage.