U-17 heavy loss triggers alarm

With just over a month before the youth spectacle kicks off in Morocco, the Young Zebras were expected to have already hit their groove but it turns out not, according to coach Kagiso 'Kaizer' Kobedi. Speaking to Mmegi Sport in an interview from Nigeria yesterday, Kobedi said the effectts of starting preparations late have started to show in the team's performance.

The team left for Cote de' Ivoire on February 21 to play four high profile friendly matches, two against the Ivorians, and another two against Nigeria. They lost 4-1 and 3-1 to Cote de' Ivoire before travelling to Nigeria where they lost their first match 3-0 on Saturday. It was, however, Monday's 9-0 whitewashing at the hands of the Super Eaglets that left tongues wagging with commentators wondering if was the start of a downward spiral for a side that mounted some spirited performances en route to qualifying for the tournament.