2 September 2019 – South Africa’s National Under-23 side will have their first training session at Marks Park sporting grounds this afternoon after reporting for camp on Sunday evening in Johannesburg.

The National Under-23s are in camp preparing for their upcoming third and final round, first leg U-23 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier encounter against Zimbabwe set to take place this Friday, 6 September.

This match will kick-off at 19h00 at Orlando Stadium.

The second leg clash will take place in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe on 10 September.

South Africa’s National Under-23 coach David Notoane expressed his delight over a number of players which reported for camp, while also adding that he has assembled a strong enough squad to push for a place for the upcoming U-23 AFCON set to take place in Egypt later in the year.

The quadrennial eight-nations continental tournament will also serve as the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics Games qualifiers, where three national teams set to represent Africa on that global showpiece, will be determined.

“I am happy with the numbers which showed up for our first day in camp,” Notoane said. “Most of our players are here except for European-based players in As Monaco striker Lyle Foster, Leicester City midfielder Khanya Leshabela and Sporting Braga FC forward Kobamelo Kodisang.

“We are expecting them to be here by tomorrow (3 September) morning”

Notoane also reported a clean bill of health from the players who have already reported for camp, adding that he and his technical staff will work really hard to get them ready for the Zimbabwe first leg clash.