After South Africa lost their opening match of the U20 Africa Cup of Nations to Egypt, the opposition manager admitted he had spent months analysing Amajita.
The South African U20 side did not get off to the best possible start at the youth AFCON, suffering a 1-0 defeat to hosts Egypt on Sunday.
However, according to Egypt head coach Ossama Nabih, it was no coincidence that his team secured the win over South Africa, as it came after months of meticulous preparation.
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According to the SABC, Nabih said: "I’m super happy with the team and with a great start.
"I’ve spent two or three months analysing the South African team and I’m sure that this team will make a lot of changes in the group. I’m super happy with this start."
Nabih added: "The South African team is very well organised, a very good team with very good members and the players in the pitch. I have a lot of respect for them.
"I analysed this team for a very long time and I’m very sure that this team can go very far in this tournament and that’s why I’m very happy with the three points today because this is three points against a very hard team."
Nevertheless, South Africa's journey in the competition has only just begun, with three more group-stage matches still to play against Tanzania, Sierra Leone, and Zambia.
Of the 13 teams competing at this year’s U20 AFCON, the four sides that reach the semi-finals will qualify for the FIFA U-20 World Cup, scheduled to take place later this year in Chile.
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By Lukhanyo Mtuta
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