Amajita got their Cosafa U20 Championship campaign off to the perfect start with the 5-0 battering of Mauritius in their Group B opener on Monday afternoon.

The South African U20 side knew coming into the fixture that they would only play two matches in the group stage after Namibia pulled out, adding extra importance to the opener, as only the group winner will advance to the semi-finals.

Thabo Senong’s men got off to a flier as Promise Mkhuma’s cross deflected in off Mauritian defender Jean Francis to give them lead with just 2 minutes played.

It didn’t take Amajita long to double their lead when Orlando Pirates striker Lyle Foster provided a neat finish following a cross from Thabiso Monyane.

It was turning into a rout for the South Africans as Nkosingiphile Ngcobo grabbed his side’s third with an emphatic finish midway through the first half.

Foster then grabbed his second and his side’s fourth as he got on to another cross which was delivered by Mkhuma in the 25th minute.

Amajita then rounded off a spectacular first half as Monyane added his name to the scoresheet just before the half-time break.

Senong rang the changes in the opening stages of the second half when Tashreeq Matthews and Duncan Adonis replaced Monyane and Luke Le Roux, which had an impact on the fluidity of the game.

The Mauritian defence was also reinvigorated after the half-time break as they looked determined to keep the score line respectable.

Foster then had a late chance to complete his hat-trick, but his acrobatic overhead kick flew over the cross bar.

Amajita failed to add to their five first-half goals, but Senong would undoubtedly be pleased with his young chargers.

Photo: Chris Ricco/BackpagePix