By Michael Madyira
Ruthless South Africa made their intentions clear at the Cosafa Under-20 Championships with a 6-0 routing of Lesotho in Group C at the Camp da ABB Stadium in Matola, Mozambique on Sunday.
Club Brugge winger Shandre Campbell grabbed a brace, first finding target on 24 minutes before completing his double with 15 minutes remaining.
Cape Town City’s Jody Ah-Shene had opened Amajita’s account 17 minutes into the contest for his second goal in two straight games at this tournament after also scoring in the 5-0 demolition of Malawi on Friday.
Lesotho goalkeeper Lumuna Mofoka made a howler of a backpass for an own goal three minutes before the breather as South Africa took a commanding lead.
Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Kutlwano Letlhaku cemented Amajita’s control of the game with a goal five minutes into the second half for another goal in two games just like Ah-Shene.
Kaizer Chiefs defender Sfiso Timba then made the game way out of Lesotho’s reach with South Africa’s fifth goal in the 55th minute.
After pumping in half a dozen goals past Lesotho, Raymond Mdaka’s boys placed themselves as tournament favourites by scoring 11 goals in two matches without conceding.
Amajita remain right on course to qualify for the 2025 Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations as well as the Fifa Under-20 World Cup to be held in the same year.
Mdaka’s side has been registering heavy wins despite missing key players whose clubs could not release for this tournament which falls out of the Fifa calendar.
The former Marumo Gallants coach is without Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Mfundo Vilakazi, Sundowns defender Tiwani Asekho and SuperSport’s Neo Rapoo who have all been regulars for their clubs this season.
South Africa now prepare to face Comoros in their last Group C game on Tuesday.
Pictured above: Amajita winger Shandre Campbell celebrating after scoring against Lesotho
Source: Cosafa
