31 January 2019 – Working with coach Thabo Senong has taught South Africa’s National Under-20’s (Amajita) defender Fezile Gcaba to quickly adapt to different playing systems.

The principles of humility and hard work had already been instilled in him back in 2017 when he used to train in Orlando Pirates’ first team alongside his cousin and veteran defender Ayanda Gcaba.

Gcaba told the now 19-year old defender who is part of the Amajita squad that is preparing for this year’s CAF Africa Under-20 Cup of Nations set to Kick-off on 2 – 17 February 2019 in Niger, to relax more in his play.

The veteran defender also made mention to his cousin that humility and hard work go hand in hand, and that he should never regard himself as a better human being than any other as he elevates in life.

“That advice worked wonders for me because I am now in the national Under-20 setup,” Gcaba says. “I also travelled with the team in last year’s COSAFA Under-20 Championship in Zambia, where we defended our title.

“This is a dream come true for me because there are a whole lot of Under-20 players, both locally and abroad, who are dreaming of this chance. It truly is an honour to be here.”

In this year’s continental football tournament, Amajita are in Group A alongside hosts Niger, Burundi and Niger.

A top four finish in this biennial continental showpiece will see Amajita book their place in this year’s FIFA Under-20 World Cup set run from 23 May – 15 June in Poland.

Gcaba said everybody in the team is driven to achieve this World Cup dream.

“My focus now is to help the team qualify for the FIFA Under-20 World Cup set to take place Poland later in the year, and also winning this year’s AFCON Under-20 tournament. I would also like to progress into the Under-23 squad and play in the Olympics and earn my place in the Bafana Bafana setup as well. It is not going to be an easy Journey. However, I am willing to work for it.”

SOURCED FROM THE SAFA WEBSITE.