South Africa Under-23 coach David Notoane has announced his final squad selection for the Tokyo Olympic games kicking off Thursday the 22nd of July. After a proposed leaked squad and much speculation from supporters and media alike, the discussion can finally be put to rest only to see a new ones arising. Will South Africa finally progress from the group stages of the Olympics? Are these the players for the job?
South Africa have only ever qualified for two previous Olympics, the first being in Australia 2000 and the previous 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. Notoane faces stiff competition in Group A, coming up against France, Mexico and Japan, which are two former gold medallists and a bronze medallist respectively. Amaglug-glug take on Olympic hosts Japan in their opening fixture, which is the only team they have previously faced in the tournament, losing 2-1 in the 2000 Olympics.
Coach Notoane has surprisingly selected only two overaged players for the tournament out of a possible four. The experience him and his staff have decided upon are Abbubaker Mobara of Cape Town City, who played in the 2016 Rio Olympics, as well as SuperSport United goalkeeper Ronwen Williams who has featured in Bafana Bafana on a few occasions.
The expectation for the U-23 squad is always a final step to stardom in the eyes of South Africa. We just have to cast our eyes to previous U-23 team photos to be reminded of what the nation is possible of producing. Our first appearance in the Australian 2000 Olympics boasted the likes of Quinton Fortune who went on to play for a prestigious Manchester United, Aaron Mokoena who holds the most appearances for Bafana, and the household name of Benni McCarthy.
South Africa U-23 Tokyo 2020 Olympic squad’s stats going into the tournament from their individual seasons.
Goalkeepers
Ronwen Williams
Born: 21 January 1992 (age 29)
Club: SuperSport United
Position: Goalkeeper
Bafana caps: 15
Club stats last season: 30 appearances, 8 clean sheets
Mondli Mpoto
Born: 24 July 1998 (age 22)
Club: Bloemfontein Celtic
Position: Goalkeeper
Bafana caps: 2
Club stats last season: 3 appearances
Sifiso Mlungwana
Born: 27 April 1997 (age 24)
Club: Lamontville Golden Arrows
Position: Goalkeeper
Bafana caps: 0
Club stats last season: 31 appearances, 11 clean sheets
Defenders
Luke Fleurs
Born: 3 March 2000 (age 21)
Club: SuperSport United
Position: Centre-back
Bafana caps: 1
Club stats last season: 20 appearances
Katlego Mohamme
Born: 10 March 1998 (age 23)
Club: University of Pretoria
Position: Centre-back
Bafana caps: 3
Club stats last season: 2 appearances
Sibusiso Mabiliso
Born: 15 April 1999 (age 22)
Club: AmaZulu
Position: Left-back
Bafana caps: 1
Club stats last season: 25 appearances, 2 assists
Thabiso Monyane
Born: 30 April 2000 (age 21)
Club: Orlando Pirates
Position: Right-back
Bafana caps: 0
Club stats last season: 8 appearances
Midfielders
Tercious Malepe
Born: 18 February 1997 (age 24)
Club: FC Minaj (Ukrainian First League)
Position: Defensive midfield
Bafana caps: 7 caps, 1 goal
Club stats last season: 15 appearances
Teboho Mokoena
Born: 24 January 1997 (age 24)
Club: SuperSport United
Position: Central midfield
Bafana caps: 9 caps, 1 goal
Club stats last season: 25 appearances, 4 goals, 3 assists
Thabo Cele
Born: 15 January 1997 (age 24)
Club: CD Cova Piedade (Liga Portugal 2)
Position: Central midfield
Bafana caps: 1
Club stats last season: 31 appearances, 3 goals, 2 assists
Goodman Mosele
Born: 18 November 1999 (age 21)
Club: Orlando Pirates
Position: Central midfield
Bafana caps: 0
Club stats last season: 28 appearances, 1 goal, 1 assist
Nkosingiphile Ngcobo
Born: 16 November 1999 (age 21)
Club: Kaizer Chiefs
Position: Attacking midfield
Bafana caps: 0
Club stats last season: 39 appearances, 4 goals, 2 assists
Kamahelo Mahlatsi
Born: 23 August 1998 (age 22)
Club: Swallows FC
Position: Attacking midfield
Bafana caps: 7 caps, 1 goal
Club stats last season: 21 appearances, 2 goals, 1 assist
Luther Singh
Born: 5 August 1997 (age 23)
Club: Braga (Portugal Primeira Liga)
Position: Right winger
Bafana caps: 3 caps, 1 goal
Club stats last season: 30 appearances, 5 goals, 5 assists
Forwards
Evidence Makgopa
Born: 5 June 2000 (age 21)
Club: Baroka FC
Position: Centre-forward
Bafana caps: 1 cap, 2 goals
Club stats last season: 29 appearances, 7 goals, 3 assists
Kobamelo Kodisang
Born: 28 August 1999 (age 21)
Club: Braga B
Position: Second striker
Bafana caps: 5
Club stats last season: 6 appearances, 1 goal
Coaches and Management
Mxolisi Sibam: Team Manager
David Notoane: Head Coach
Kwanele Kopo: Assistant Coach
Wendell Robinson: Goalkeeper Coach
Nomthandazo Ncube: Kit Assistant
Written by Joshua Gaillard