The diminutive Strasbourg FC midfielder almost single-handedly steered his team into the final of the annual youth tournament with his silky skills at the centre of the park and capped his impressive run with a brilliant individual goal against Botswana in the team’s final group match.
He pocketed R5 000 for his efforts.
South Africa will share the Fifa Fair Play Award with new champions Zimbabwe, their conquerors at Thulamahashe Stadium on Sunday.
Nkambule, however, does not hide his disappointment at losing the tournament, which he dearly needed to win in order to bow out of the Under-20 set up in style.
“It is a pity that we lost a match that we looked forward to winning in order to keep the trophy. Nevertheless, the Player of the Tournament Award is testament that my talents are appreciated,” the 19-year-old tells snl24.com/kickoff, adding that it was a motivating award following a career that is stagnating at his French First Division club.
Emmanuel Mayuka, of semi-finalists Madagascar and fellow semi-finalist, Namibia’s Lazarus Kaimbi, jointly won the Golden Boot Award after scoring five goals each.
Zimbabwean shot stopper Francis Nico won the Goalkeeper of the Tournament after his brilliant showing between the sticks that enabled the Young Warriors to win the tournament without conceding a goal.
The Madagascans clinched the bronze medal after beating Namibia 2-1 in the third place playoffs.
