14 January 2015 - Stand in Amajita coach David Notoane has spoken glowingly about the future of South African football.
He tells SAFA.net that the sky is the limit with all the positives within the South African football.
Q: This Commonwealth Cup is an exciting challenge heading towards the CAF African Youth championships. How far would you want to go?
A: We want to go all the way to the final of this tournament as that will mean we have a competitive group of players. We will take a lot of confidence with us going into the second phase of our preparations for the African Youth Champs which will take place in Senegal.
He tells SAFA.net that the sky is the limit with all the positives within the South African football.
Q: This Commonwealth Cup is an exciting challenge heading towards the CAF African Youth championships. How far would you want to go?
A: We want to go all the way to the final of this tournament as that will mean we have a competitive group of players. We will take a lot of confidence with us going into the second phase of our preparations for the African Youth Champs which will take place in Senegal.
Q: Which areas of this squad do you think needs particular attention having watched the friendly against Qatar?
A: We need to tighten certain defensive positions and work better as a unit at the back. We had good moments in attack but did not create enough clear opportunities, so our tactical work will focus on these aspects.
Q: You are taking this team on caretaker basis, does this come with pressure?
A: Any Head Coach position comes with responsibility and pressure to get results. We communicate regularly with coach Thabo Senong, so I want to give him a positive team from this tournament as we step up our preparations for AYC.
Q: South African football has been going through an exciting purple patch, what do you ascribe this to?
A: Clearly the changes of leadership within the Association followed by appointments within the technical team have seen positive results in all our teams. The qualification of Bafana Bafana, Amajita and Amajimbos for major continental tournaments means the future of the national teams looks good. The performances of the teams have been fantastic and therefore the coaches deserve praise for job well done.
Q: Having sat as the technical team with coach Thabo Senong, how far do you see the boys going in the African Youth champs?
A: The primary goal is to qualify for the World Cup of U20 and that is non-negotiable. We then want to qualify as champions of Africa of course. We have the talent to go all the way; with the right mentality we can achieve these goals.
Q: What is the strength of South African teams?
A: South African teams are known for their technical ability on the ball as well as being quick and agile. We can improve in utilising possession positively in winning games as we see within the current Bafana Bafana team.
Q: Do you think we are on track to achieve Vision 2022? If so explain the steps and processes
A: I think we are on track and things are looking good as I indicated. The national teams are competitive and the next step is to qualify for the World Cup stages. The experience gained by the junior players will be valuable for the pool of selection available to Bafana Bafana for World Cup 2018 and World Cup 2022. This success on the continent will ensure our readiness to compete on the World stage.
Q: Finally tell us a bit about yourself from playing days until today
A: I have played for about 12 years at professional and continental level with Santos FC and SuperSport Utd FC. I have won the PSL Championship, Absa Cup and BP Top 8 way back. I have worked at Youth Level for about 7 years winning the SAFA Vodacom provincial league. I then graduated to coaching seniors at Santos FC as well as coaching the SAFA Olympic team as assistant to coach Shakes Mashaba for London 2012 Olympic Games. I never represented my country as a player besides a call up but I aspired to represent my country as a coach and I am grateful to be living my dream.
Q: Any other thing which you think soccer fans need to know about yourself or this Amajita team?
A: I have helped a lot of players fulfil their professional ambitions by guiding them to handle the demands of professional football. This Amajita team is full of talent and ability; we need to take them through the mental development process with patience and caution as the pressure of results can break young players. This group of players will do us proud if well looked after. Let us support them positively all the way to Senegal and New Zealand.
A: We need to tighten certain defensive positions and work better as a unit at the back. We had good moments in attack but did not create enough clear opportunities, so our tactical work will focus on these aspects.
Q: You are taking this team on caretaker basis, does this come with pressure?
A: Any Head Coach position comes with responsibility and pressure to get results. We communicate regularly with coach Thabo Senong, so I want to give him a positive team from this tournament as we step up our preparations for AYC.
Q: South African football has been going through an exciting purple patch, what do you ascribe this to?
A: Clearly the changes of leadership within the Association followed by appointments within the technical team have seen positive results in all our teams. The qualification of Bafana Bafana, Amajita and Amajimbos for major continental tournaments means the future of the national teams looks good. The performances of the teams have been fantastic and therefore the coaches deserve praise for job well done.
Q: Having sat as the technical team with coach Thabo Senong, how far do you see the boys going in the African Youth champs?
A: The primary goal is to qualify for the World Cup of U20 and that is non-negotiable. We then want to qualify as champions of Africa of course. We have the talent to go all the way; with the right mentality we can achieve these goals.
Q: What is the strength of South African teams?
A: South African teams are known for their technical ability on the ball as well as being quick and agile. We can improve in utilising possession positively in winning games as we see within the current Bafana Bafana team.
Q: Do you think we are on track to achieve Vision 2022? If so explain the steps and processes
A: I think we are on track and things are looking good as I indicated. The national teams are competitive and the next step is to qualify for the World Cup stages. The experience gained by the junior players will be valuable for the pool of selection available to Bafana Bafana for World Cup 2018 and World Cup 2022. This success on the continent will ensure our readiness to compete on the World stage.
Q: Finally tell us a bit about yourself from playing days until today
A: I have played for about 12 years at professional and continental level with Santos FC and SuperSport Utd FC. I have won the PSL Championship, Absa Cup and BP Top 8 way back. I have worked at Youth Level for about 7 years winning the SAFA Vodacom provincial league. I then graduated to coaching seniors at Santos FC as well as coaching the SAFA Olympic team as assistant to coach Shakes Mashaba for London 2012 Olympic Games. I never represented my country as a player besides a call up but I aspired to represent my country as a coach and I am grateful to be living my dream.
Q: Any other thing which you think soccer fans need to know about yourself or this Amajita team?
A: I have helped a lot of players fulfil their professional ambitions by guiding them to handle the demands of professional football. This Amajita team is full of talent and ability; we need to take them through the mental development process with patience and caution as the pressure of results can break young players. This group of players will do us proud if well looked after. Let us support them positively all the way to Senegal and New Zealand.
By: Editor
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