SA U23 head coach David Notoane has given his verdict on Southampton FC midfielder Kgaugelo Chauke’s debut against Congo Brazzaville.
Notoane’s charges played out a 1-1 draw with the Congolese side in the first leg of the CAF U23 Olympic qualifiers at Dobsonville Stadium on Thursday afternoon.
The West African side were the first to score through Love Bissila Mabiala just two minutes before the half-time break.
However, South Africa were lucky enough to bounce back into the game when Thapelo Maseko scored an equaliser in the 69th minute of the showdown.
The second leg will take place in Congo on Monday, 27 March 2023 in Massamba-Debat Stadium.
Chauke, who made his first-ever appearance for South Africa came on as a second-half substitute.
The 20-year-old footballer arrived in the country on Tuesday and only managed to train with the team once, as he spent most of his time sorting out his passport issues.
He is currently on loan in the EFL League One at Exeter City from Premier League side Southampton FC.
DAVID NOTOANE’S VERDICT ON KGAUGELO CHAUKE’S DEBUT
“Well look, you can see why we didn’t start him right? You know we had to be careful about the timing of bringing him in,” Notoane told the media.
“The game was going to be physical and require a lot of energy, and running. That was my biggest fear for him.
“You know, also for him being his first game playing against African opposition at this level. So, there were a lot of things to consider.
“But the most important issue was for him to spend three days on the way and not really connecting with the team. He missed two training sessions.”
Notoane further stated that in terms of the minutes, the rising star got, under difficult conditions they have to be fair and honest to him, as what he did was not really enough, but reckons that he did some good things, received the ball, and combined well.
“But you can see that he struggled a little bit having the energy to help us when we don’t have the ball. And at the time we needed everyone to really push themselves and work hard,” He added.
“Now, I think he will be better integrated into the group and I’m sure he will add some values and also give us an idea of where he is because this is international football, not club football.
The coach believes that Chauke is a player with “great potential.”
“You can see that he has a football brain and know how to play the game. Now, it’s just for him to connect well with the group,” Notoane explained.
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