3 October 2019 – The South African U-23 Men’s National Team has been drawn in a tough Group B of the Total U-23 Africa Cup of Nations tournament scheduled to take place in Egypt from 8-22 November 2019.
David Notoane’s side will face Cote d’Ivoire, Zambia and the defending champions, Nigeria, while Group A drew hosts Egypt, Mali and debutants Cameroon and Ghana.
The draw took place at the Haramlek Palace in the iconic Montaza Complex in Alexandria.
Group A will play their games at the Cairo Interntional Stadium and Group B at the Al Salam Stadium.
The top three teams at the tournament will qualify to represent Africa at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
South Africa kickstart their campaign with a clash against neighbours Zambia on Saturday, 9 November, followed by the defending champions Nigeria three days later (Tuesday, 12 November). The last fixture in the group stages is against Ivory Coast on Friday, 15 November.
Under Owen Da Gama, South Africa finished among the top three in the AFCON held in Senegal to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics.
The Total U-23 Africa Cup of Nations is held every four years and showcases some of African football’s emerging talents while also acting as a qualifier for the Summer Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.
In attendance at the draw were CAF Executive Committee member Ahmed Yahya, Egyptian Minister of Youth and Sports, Ashraf Sobhy, Members of the Nomalisation Committee of the Egyptian Football Association and representatives of the qualified teams, including South Africa’s head coach Notoane.
Host Egypt and holders Nigeria were named top seeds for the draw.
The two teams, together with South Africa, are the three teams to have qualified for every edition of the tournament since its inception in 2011.
Based on the ranking of the teams from the previous editions, South Africa and Mali were in Pot 1 whilst Zambia, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire and Cameroon found themselves in Pot 2.
Group A:
Egypt, Mali, Cameroon, Ghana
Group B:
Nigeria, Cote d’ivoire, South Africa, Zambia
SA U-23 AFCON FIXTURES:
Saturday, 9 November
vs Zambia
Tuesday, 12 November
vs Nigeria
Friday, 15 November
vs Ivory Coast
** All matches to be played at Al Salam Stadium **