Former South African junior international Junior Khanye has lauded the technical team that led the Amajimbos at the recently concluded COSAFA U17 Youth Championships.
Amjimbos bench led by Vela Khumalo also had former professionals in Reneilwe “Yeye” Letsholonyana and Thabo Mngomeni as assistants with Khanye saying the duo’s influence in the team was evident in how the side dominated play.
The former Kaizer Chiefs winger who was the tournament ambassador admitted to being disappointed with Amjimbos for not reaching the final of the competition where they would have qualified for U17 AFCON in Ivory Coast next year.
However, Khanye noted that the team played well giving applause to the selectors saying they identified good players while the team’s style of play is how South Africa should play.
“The boys played very well, I need to be honest,” Khanye told iDiski Times.
“Compliments to whoever identified the talent and combined the team. Compliments to Yeye, you could tell from the way they dominated all the games in the middle that Yeye had an influence.
“Thabo Mngomeni too was the best midfielder. You can tell that the midfielders are coached by people who were the best midfielders in South Africa.
“Talent identification well done to them because the centre-back number 5 [Bokamoso Mokokosi] is one of the best as well, the boy has a bright future ahead of him.
“I believe there is room for improvement. What they did is not enough but the identity that’s how South Africa should play. They play in departments, expressing themselves, and the structure when they don’t have the ball. I was pleased, to be honest”.
