Mdaka says Cosafa triumph gives Amajita platform to defend Afcon title

Amajita coach Raymond Mdaka says South Africa’s third consecutive Cosafa Cup title has provided a strong foundation as they prepare to defend their Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) crown in Ghana next year.

South Africa secured a 2-1 victory over Mozambique in Sunday’s final, with their run to the Cosafa final also confirming their qualification for the junior Afcon.

The tournament is scheduled to be held in February and March next year, and Mdaka believes the regional competition has given his squad valuable momentum ahead of the bigger challenge.

“It’s good for the country, good for the boys; after that, you see, defending a trophy is something else, especially that you have also qualified for Afcon,” Mdaka told the media after Amajita returned to OR Tambo International Airport on Monday morning.

The coach praised his players for adjusting quickly despite having limited preparation time before the Cosafa Cup.

He said he hoped to have a longer period to work with the squad before the Afcon, where they will attempt to retain the title South Africa won in Egypt.

“One would want, if it was possible, to have the same journey that we had [with Cosafa],” Mdaka said.

“The Afcon is a buildup; it is better than when you go to Cosafa. I really give the boys credit for what they have shown for us to bring back the trophy and put it as a foundation to prepare for Afcon.”

The squad faced additional difficulties because most of the players are still at school and are completing matric. The Cosafa tournament also took place outside the usual football calendar, making player availability and preparation more complicated.

“This group, most of them are still at school; they are doing matric, and also the tournament came at a time when it was out of the calendar,” Mdaka said.

“So, you always get those kinds of challenges to juggle who you get and who you are not getting.

“And also, you would not have enough time for preparations, but we understand that’s what Cosafa is. Fortunately, we had a very good group that was able to pick up very quickly in a very short time for them to be able to compete.”

Mdaka said the Afcon would demand a greater level of preparation than the regional tournament.

“But beyond this, I think we need enough time for us to prepare because Afcon is very difficult,” he added.

SAFA president Danny Jordaan congratulated the team and said the next task was to protect their continental title.

“Credit to the coach and the wonderful players that we have; they really showed us that they are the best in Southern Africa now,” Jordaan said.

“We must go to Ghana, and they have another trophy to defend. They will go to Ghana as African Champions.”