24 October 2022 – South Africa Under-23 Men’s national team coach David Notoane is happy with the way things panned out after his charges drew 2-2 with Togo in an away 2023 Morocco U23 AFCON Second Round qualifier on Sunday.
Notoane said the two away goals scored by Antonio van Wyk and Ashley Cupido have put his team in the driver’s seat going into the return leg at Orlando Stadium on Sunday.
“Overall, based on our journey coming here, the challenges we faced, one is very pleased with the result,” he said. “We scored two away goals against a team I believe we are capable of beating in South Africa. We are looking forward to finishing the job back home in Johannesburg.
“West Africa is different and we had a difficult time in the second period, coming out of our own half. They put a lot of pressure on us, with some dubious decisions from the referee. This helped them gain territorial ground against us, but I think the boys did very well under the circumstances. This gave us a very good idea on one or two things we need to change.
“I think we are good to go to the return match and turn the tie around. The match worked out the way we expected in terms of our planning.” The team travels back to South Africa on Monday.
Notoane said he expect his charges to be a lot fresher in the return match and produce an even better display against the Togolese in Johannesburg.