"Bring the African teams on," Maraisane said after he was named Striker of the Tournament in Russia.

"We are ready for anything that is thrown at us. This Commonwealth Cup has hardened us and we will go to the African Youth tournament well prepared and not undercooked."

Maraisane scored Amajita's second goal against Finland in Sunday's final, which helped secure a 2-1 win in testing conditions.

Amajita now shift their attention to the AYC in Senegal in March, where the country will bid to finish in the top four, which will book them a spot at the Under-20 World Cup in New Zealand towards the middle of the year.

"These boys have tasted how sweet winning is and they should carry this spirit to Senegal," stand-in coach David Notoane said.

Captain Motjeka Madisha -- who capped a terrific set of performances by being named Player of the Tournament -- opened the scoring in the 15th minute, before Finland drew level on 37 minutes.

Maraisane, however, had the last say 13 minutes from the end, rounding-off the goal that handed South Africa a morale-boosting win, as they completed a historic tournament in which South Africa was the first African nation to compete.

"It has been an exhausting two-week competition because in most cases it meant playing back to back matches and this takes toll on players as they pick injuries and fatigue also sets in," Notoane added.

Amajita had beaten the hosts, Belarus and Tajikistan en route to reaching the final and midfielder Tlotlo Leepile said the team could have no excuses when they travel to Senegal.

"We are going to Senegal with little complains. We have undergone some rigorous competition and if we don't do well there, we have no one to blame," he said.

While he praised his victorious team for a job well done in Russia, Notoane revealed that the team was not at full-strength and management would need to re-call a number of young stars who were missing.

Bafana Bafana defender Rivaldo Coetzee was a notable absentee and is legible to play, while Ayabulela Magqwaka and FagrIe Lakay, who have both received call-ups to Bafana Bafana, would also be crucial to Amajita.

Amajita were due to arrive back in South Africa at 2pm on Tuesday.