11 November 2020 – South Africa’s National Under-23 side has safely arrived in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, ahead of their scheduled two international friendly matches against the hosts.
Those two friendly matches will take place in Saudi Arabia’s capital on 14 and 17 November, before the National Under-23 side flies back to South Africa on the 18th.
Coach David Notoane was forced to make a few changes in his initial squad that is to take on Saudi Arabia’s Under-23s, due to injuries.
Both Mamelodi Sundowns midfielders Siphesihle Mkhize and Promise Mkhuma were roped in for injured Athenkosi Dlala and Keletso Makgalwa, respectively.
Dlala sustained a quad and ligament injury, while Makgalwa was deemed unfit to travel with the squad due to a groin injury he got.
Maritzburg United defender Malebogo Modise also came in as a new addition into the squad, replacing AmaZulu’ Sibusiso Mabiliso who was ruled out of the team.
Notoane stated that it was quite unfortunate that he could not travel with the initial players he called into his squad, while also adding that the changes made will provide these players with an opportunity to raise their hands in being consistent features in the National Under-23 setup.
“We had initially roped in Athenkosi Dlala, Keletso Makgalwa, Sibusiso Mabiliso to be part of the squad,” Notoane said. “We decided not to travel with Sibusiso Mabiliso because he had a family bereavement he had to attend to. And due to the Coronavirus health protocols, our medical staff advised us that it would not be wise to bring a player into camp who might have been exposed to large gatherings.
“Mabiliso is a brilliant player, one that has graduated through our SAFA junior national teams and also doing well in his respective club. We will definitely have him over in one of our camps as we continue with our preparations for next year’s Olympics.
“Another player who could not join the team due to injury is Victoria Guimaraes’ Lyle Foster.”
The national Under-23s will spend two days in quarantine, starting from today, before they can be cleared to resume training building up to their two friendlies.
Meanwhile, Notoane stated that he was pleased with the expanding pull of the National Under-23 players, adding that this camp will also play a vital role in giving him more options in his final selection of next year’s Tokyo Olympic Games squad.
“One always has to have ambitions and show growth in whatever they do,” Notoane said. “Ours is to perform well in the upcoming Olympic Games. We are quite aware that our National Under-23s are yet to progress into the knockout stages in this major world sporting event. We want to break that hoodoo. My personal ambition is to go out there with a squad strong enough to fight for a medal for our country.”
MEN’S U23 NATIONAL TEAM SQUAD: FINAL LIST
SAUDI ARABIA T/MENT: 7 – 18 NOVEMBER 2020
| GOALKEEPERS: | ||
| 1. | Darren JOHNSON | Ajax Town FC (SA) |
| 2. | Sifiso MLUNGWANA | Golden Arrows FC (SA) |
| DEFENDERS: | ||
| 3. | Tercious MALEPE | FC Minaj (Ukraine) |
| 4. | Katlego MOHAMME | Univ. of Pretoria FC (SA) |
| 5. | Thabiso MONYANE | Orlando Pirates FC (SA) |
| 6. | Njabulo BLOM | Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA) |
| 7. | Sifiso NGOBENI | Bloemfontein Celtics FC (SA) |
| 8. | Malebogo MODISE | Maritzburg Utd FC (SA) |
| 9. | Given MSIMANGO | TS Galaxy FC (SA) |
| 10. | Siyabonga NGEZANA | Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA) |
| MIDFIELDERS: | ||
| 11. | Siphesihle MKHIZE | Mamelodi Sundowns FC (SA) |
| 12. | Goodman MOSELE | Baroka FC (SA) |
| 13. | Leletu SKELEM | Stellenbosch FC (SA) |
| 14. | Kamohelo Abel MAHLATSI | Moroka Swallows FC (SA) |
| 15. | Shane ROBERTS | Cape Town City FC (SA) |
| 16. | Jamie Craig WEBBER | Supersport United FC (SA) |
| 17. | Nkosingiphile NGCOBO | Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA) |
| 18. | Sphephelo SITHOLE | Os Belenenses AD (Portugal) |
| FORWARDS: | ||
| 19. | Fagrie LAKAY | Cape Town City (SA) |
| 20. | Zakhale LEPASA | Orlando Pirates FC (SA) |
| 21. | Promise MKHUMA | Mamelodi Sundowns FC (SA) |