South African defensive midfielder Lazola Maku is optimistic about securing a move abroad after guiding Amajita to retain their Cosafa Cup title last week. The 19-year-old captain expressed his confidence in impressing at the tournament, which could potentially pave the way for his overseas move. Maku is currently unattached after being released by Betway Premiership side Siwelele at the end of last season.
Before the Cosafa tournament in Mozambique, Maku went on trial and assessment with three European clubs: Austria SV Ried, Wacker Innsbruck, and Rapid Vienna. He hopes to sign with one of them soon. Maku's impressive performance at the tournament has generated significant interest, and he believes his experience and character will be key factors in securing a move abroad.
Maku attributed Amajita's success in the Cosafa Cup to their collective belief in their abilities. "The key to success was believing that we could do it," he said. The young midfielder expressed his pride in being part of the new generation of U20 players and is eager to make a name for himself in the football world.
With the junior Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Ghana scheduled for next year, Maku's focus now shifts to preparing for the tournament. Amajita will look to defend their title from February to March. Maku emphasized the importance of preparation, stating that the team needs to "go back to our teams and fix what we have to fix and come back stronger."
Coach Raymond Mdaka of the U20 and U23 national teams is optimistic about Maku's chances of securing a move abroad. Mdaka believes that Maku possesses all the qualities required to succeed in Europe and has been impressed by his performance in recent tournaments. "He has done a lot more, especially in these tournaments; he showed character and the experience of having played [in the tournament] before," Mdaka said.
Mdaka also highlighted the challenges that come with being an unattached player, stating that it often depends on who knows the player. However, he expressed his confidence in Maku's abilities, saying, "I know Lazola best; even if I [find] him not being fine, I believe he will be fine. A move overseas will be good for him."
As Maku looks to secure his move abroad, he will need to build on his impressive performance at the Cosafa Cup. With the support of his coach and his own confidence, Maku is well-positioned to make a successful transition to European football. His experience and character will undoubtedly be valuable assets as he embarks on this new chapter in his career.
Key points
- Lazola Maku's impressive performance at the Cosafa Cup has generated interest from European clubs.
- Maku's focus now shifts to preparing for the junior Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Ghana next year.
- Coach Raymond Mdaka is optimistic about Maku's chances of securing a move abroad.
