Amajita will bounce back to winning ways against New Calendonia, says Neo Rapoo

Amajita left-back Neo Rapoo is confident that they’ll bounce back to winning ways at the ongoing Fifa U20 World Cup when they face New Caledonia early Friday morning (1 am).

Amajita started their World Cup campaign on a sour note. They lost 2-1 to group and tournament’s favourites, France.

But they have a chance to regroup and return to winning ways when they face the group’s “weeping boys” New Caledonia at Estadio El Teniente.

On paper, the African champions shouldn’t break a sweat in the match as New Caledonia were hammered 8-0 by the United States in their own opening game.

But Rapoo knows that it won’t be an easy match, though he’s confident that his teammates and technical team, led by Ramond Mdaka, won’t leave any stone unturned.

“I know we had a slow start. I know a lot of guys will bounce back. That’s how we started in the Afcon, of course,” Rapoo said. “I really think we can bounce back. It was the first game on the global stage.

“So, I know that the guys will bounce, and accumulate the points that we need and take the trophy home, if possible.”

He added: “I saw that they lost, like we did. But, obviously, as South Africa we don’t focus a lot on our opponent but ourselves. We want to get the maximum points and qualify for the next round.”

While the loss to France disappointed Amajita, Rapoo believes that will burn their desire to get maximum points in all their upcoming matches.

“I feel like the guys will now be more relaxed, and they can showcase what they are made of and why they were actually selected,” Rapoo said.

“I really, really think that everyone is going to perform at their very best. So I am really looking forward to that one.”

Rapoo, particularly, is pleased to be at the global showpiece, where he’s competing against some of the most promising talent in the world, which is why he feels that’ll open doors for Amajita.

“Playing against a team such as France is really amazing. Those boys are really good,” Rapoo said. “Playing against such players also makes you learn as a footballer.

“You think to yourself that you can get used to playing against such players. But that happens when God opens the door for you, which I feel is the case for a lot of players who are coming from South Africa.”