The South Africa Under-23 men’s national team has assembled at the SAFA National Technical Centre since the beginning of the week in preparation for the 2023 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations qualification tournament.
The tournament will be played in Morocco in June next year and serves as African qualifying for the Olympic football tournament.
The top three teams at the Morocco event will secure tickets to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
“Obviously these boys have been to COSAFA, and this is a continuation of the group that was in COSAFA. This camp is in preparation for the Olympic qualifiers now that we know the programme,” said Notoane.
“We are unfortunate because this camp was also supposed to go play in Bahrain. While the logistics were being finalized, unfortunately Bahrain withdrew at the last minute, a day before we were to announce the camp.”
The training camp, which wraps up on Monday 26 September 2022, is intended to help Notoane and his players find their rhythm, synergy.
And build rapport as their qualifying programme starts in the second round next month when they face the winner of the match between Togo and Mauritania. Togo and Mauritania play their first round match this weekend.
FULL SQUAD:
Goalkeepers: Lincoln Vyer (Cape Town Spurs), Bontle Molefe (Kaizer Chiefs), Siphamandla Mzimela (AmaZulu FC).
Defenders: Athenkosi Mcaba (Stellenbosch FC), Nelson Ralenkoane (Orlando Pirates), Rushwin Dortley (Cape Town Spurs), Kamogelo Mahlangu (TS Galaxy), Zuko Madunyelwa (Chippa United), Inathi Lawana (Casric Stars), Keagan Allen (Swallows FC)
Midfielders: Jayden Adams (Stellenbosch FC), Ethan Brooks (AmaZulu FC), Oswin Andries (Stellenbosch FC), Rowan Human (Maritzburg United), Sifiso Mbidana (Pretoria Callies), Khaya Mefcane (Cape Town Spurs), Mpho Mathebula (Richards Bay FC), Azolo Tshobeni (JDR Stars)
Forwards: Boitumelo Radiopane (Orlando Pirates), Ashley Cupido (Cape Town Spurs), Azola Matrose (Chippa United), Antonio Van Wyk (Stellenbosch FC), Aphelele Teto (TS Galaxy), Thuso Mogale (Baroka FC), Keletso Sifama (Kaizer Chiefs), Ntiyiso Bombi (Baroka FC), Cassius Mailula (Mamelodi Sundowns)
