Senong must find a compromise with clubs to get players released for World Cup‚ warns Letsoaka

If South Africa are to do well at the upcoming Under-20 World Cup in South Korea‚ Amajita coach Thabo Senong must find a compromise with clubs to get players released for proper preparation time‚ his predecessor Serame Letsoaka warned.

Senong qualified Amajita for May’s tournament by finishing fourth at the African Youth Championship in Zambia earlier this month and follows on the achievement of Letsoaka when he was under-20 coach and took South Africa to their last U-20 World Cup appearance in Egypt in 2009.

“We went to Uruguay as part of our preparations and I learnt there what they what they did when they were preparing for the U-20 World Cup‚" explained Letsoaka‚ now coach of struggling Premier Soccer League outfit Free State Stars.

"Every Monday‚ Tuesday and Wednesday they released the players for the national team.

"The coaches could prepare for three days and then the players went back to their clubs on a Wednesday afternoon.

• Senong promises to do his homework and study the opposition ahead of Under-20 World CupAmajita coach Thabo Senong has promised to study the opposition so his side will be entirely prepared for their tough group at the Fifa Under-20 World Cup in Korea Republic in May and June. 

"That really helped Uruguay to be what they are in these tournaments.

“I think the biggest thing for South Africa will be preparation.

"When I went to the World Cup our preparations were a challenge.

"You will remember I had Ramahlwe Mphahlele‚ Thulani Hlatshwayo‚ Mandla Masango … a lot of other players already competing in the PSL for their clubs.

"So preparing the team was a nightmare. I can only say that Senong must come up with a plan to try and get the team together.

"You cannot go to the World Cup without preparing properly.

"He needs a strategy but its tough because the league fixtures are so congested with clubs playing twice a week and all the players are needed.

"They have to try and find some common ground.”

• SA Under-20s handed FIFA World Cup draw from hellAmajita have been handed a draw from hell at the Fifa Under-20 World Cup in May‚ being grouped with Italy‚ Japan and Uruguay. 

Letsoaka says continuity is important in the national team and pointed to the fact Molefi Ntseki had been his assistant in 2009‚ was the under-17 coach at the World cup in Chile two years ago and that some of his players had been promoted up to the under-20s.

“The U-20 World Cup is not a child’s place. I know we have Japan‚ Italy and Uruguay in our group. I think these are the games that will define us as South Africa.

"You don’t really get defined when you are taking on teams like Honduras (an opponent for Amajita at the 2009 finals) or Uzbekistan.

"But this time they are three quality opponents.

"You can see the group that the boys had at the African Youth Championship in Zambia was also tough with Cameroon and Senegal‚ who went on to be the eventual runners-up.

• Senong dangles Fifa Under-20 World Cup carrot in front of his playerAmajita coach Thabo Senong has urged his players to play for places in the Fifa Under-20 World Cup in Sunday’s Caf U-20 Africa Cup of Nations third-place playoff against Guinea. 

"It’s in these situations that we get to define ourselves as a country and see how we fit in‚ in terms of world standards.

“I have trust in the people who are steering the ship. Senong at the helm with help from Helman (Mkhalele) and (Moefi) Ntseki‚ who was with me in 2009 in the World Cup.

"That transfer of knowledge is always very helpful.

“Remember that in this tournament even if you are placed third in your group you still have a chance to advance to the knockout rounds.

"I wish Senong everything of the best‚” Letsoaka added.

- TMG Digital/TMG Sport