MASERU
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| The Stars coach Adel Amrouche presents the trophy to the President. [PHOTO: PSCU] |
The Kenya U20 national team head coach John Kamau is a dissatisfied man after watching his charges fall to a 0 – 2 loss to South Africa in the Cosafa Under 20 Youth Championships in Maseru, the team’s first loss of the which they were taking part as a guest team.
In his post match comments, the coach pointed out that he had been happy with the way the team played throughout the competition except for the final and lauded South Africa as the deserving winners.
He added reaching final was a great achievement to him since his target was at least the semi finals.
“Overall we played well but today I was not pleased with our output and I should say South Africa were deserving winners; we did not play our game as we always do.
That aside, I am pleased with the boys’ display; my aim was to make it to the semi final and that we achieved by reaching the final so I bear few regrets.
“Apart from a few teething problems I should say I am pleased with the overall organization of the tournament and from it we take a lot of lessons”, the coach said. South Africa have been crowned 2013 Cosafa Under-20 Youth Championship winners after a 2-0 success over Kenya in the final in Maseru on Saturday.
The Amajita side claimed their first regional title since 2008 and their fifth overall, with coach Shakes Mashaba dedicating the victory to former South Africa president Nelson Mandela, who passed away at the age of 95 on December 5.
The South Africans dominated the match in the early stages, with skipper Ayabulela Mgqwaka heading home a corner to give them the lead on 33 minutes.
Nhlankanipho Ntuli had a great chance to make it 2-0 but fired his short over the bar, before forward Siyanda Ngubo did double the advantage on 69 minutes as he chipped over the on-rushing Kenya goalkeeper Peter Odhiamo.
Meanwhile, Angola sealed the bronze medal when they defeated Zimbabwe 2-0 in the third-place play-off.
–SuperSport
