South Africa U17 head coach Duncan Crowie is targeting a spot in the quarter-final after their morale-boosting 3-2 win over Zambia U17 on Wednesday evening.
After the opening day, 2-0 defeat to Morocco U17, Crowie and his charges came out guns blazing against the U17 Cosafa Cup champions with Vicky Mkhwana netting two goals inside the opening half hour.
Zambia fought back with a brace from Emmanuel Mawanza but Michael Dokunmu was rewarded for his livewire display with a late winner to move South Africa level on three points with Nigeria after two games played, while the North Africans are qualified with six.
“It was more than a fight, we were 2-0 up, and they came back and made it very difficult for us, putting us under pressure with those deep and long balls that put our defence under pressure, but as I mentioned to the guys, it’s important for us to show we can play, but if they don’t allow us to play, then show we can fight,” Crowie said.
“I say fight in a very nice way, that we ensure they don’t create opportunities, and with all the pressure they put us under, they didn’t create clear-cut goal-scoring opportunities, which is very good and I will sit up all night to cut a few clips to make it clear to the players what they did right and what they can still improve on in preparation for Nigeria.”
Despite the massive win at Stade Mohamed-Hamlaoui, Crowie says they are not getting ahead of themselves as they are aware of the complexities of what could transpire on Saturday in the final group game.
“We can’t look to the knockout stages yet, this is a tough group where anything can happen and I don’t want to be controversial, Morocco is through as you mentioned so they will most probably play a second-string team against Zambia, which will be in the favour of Zambia – which could put them on three points,” he said about the next round.
“Nigeria will have to get a point or win, meaning they will play a strong team against us – so that is most probably the tactics used but we will go out and if we can at least a draw, it will be enough to put us through.”
South African meet Nigeria on Saturday evening at 21h00.
