Lazola Maku targets European move after leading Amajita to Cosafa Cup

Lazola Maku believes his performances in Mozambique have strengthened his case for a move overseas after captaining Amajita to a second successive Cosafa Cup title last week.

The 19-year-old defensive midfielder is currently without a club after Betway Premiership side Siwelele released him at the end of last season. Before joining South Africa’s Under-20 squad for the tournament, Maku had trials and assessments with three Austrian clubs: SV Ried, Wacker Innsbruck and Rapid Vienna.

He now hopes one of those clubs will offer him a contract.

“I came back as a champion. Being a captain was a good thing. The key to success was believing that we could do it,” said an excited Maku.

“It was a proud moment for us as the new generation for the U20 group; now it is for us to make our own name. It was a good feeling winning the tournament.”

Maku said the victory had given the squad confidence, but their attention had already turned to the junior Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Ghana next year.

The tournament is scheduled to take place from February to March, with Amajita aiming to defend the title they currently hold.

“Our main focus now is to prepare well for the upcoming tournament. We know we performed well at the Cosafa, and now [it] is to go back to our teams and fix what we have to fix and come back stronger,” he said.

Raymond Mdaka, who coaches both the Under-20 and Under-23 national teams, believes Maku’s displays have demonstrated that he is ready for the next stage of his career.

Mdaka is optimistic the midfielder will secure a club soon and says he has the qualities required to succeed in Europe.

“He has done a lot more, especially in these tournaments; he showed character and the experience of having played [in the tournament] before,” said Mdaka.

Maku’s current unattached status could make finding a club more difficult, but Mdaka believes the player’s ability and character will work in his favour.

“Sometimes when you are unattached [to a club], it will depend on those who know you. I know Lazola best; even if I [find] him not being fine, I believe he will be fine. A move overseas will be good for him.”