9 September 2019 –The South African U23 Men’s National Team has safely arrived in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe ahead of their third round, second leg U-23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier tie against the host nation.
The clash is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, 10 September at Barbourfields Stadium.
Kickoff is at 15h00.
The visitors are in a commanding lead following their 5-0 victory in the first leg played at Orlando Stadium on Friday, 6 September.
Goals from Kobamelo Kodisang, Teboho Mokoena, Lyle Foster and a brace from Luther Singh were enough to help South Africa put one foot into this year’s CAF U23 Africa Cup of Nations tournament set to take place in Egypt from 8 – 22 November 2019.
The competition doubles up as a qualifier for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games – only the top three will represent the African continent at the event.
South Africa’s head coach, David Notoane, has challenged his charges not to take the foot off the pedal, but to continue where they left off in the first leg.
“Football is a crazy sport and that is why we love it so much. I have seen teams carrying a commanding lead in the first leg only to collapse in the second leg and lose the game – so we cannot afford to do that. We celebrated our victory from the first leg, but that is now behind us, we have a new match all together and that is where the focus is,” said Notoane upon arrival in Bulawayo.
“We are here on a mission, and that is to win to ensure we are present at the AFCON for us to stand a better chance of going to the Olympics. The team is in very high spirits, and that is a very good sign.”
The Olympic Team will have their first and only training session this afternoon (Monday, 9 September) at the match venue.
The South Africans are scheduled to return home on Wednesday, 11 September 2019.
They are expected to land at 14h45.