24 January 2023 – South African Football Association (SAFA) Technical Director Walter Steenbok met with the members of the South African Under-20 technical team this week to discuss the side’s performance at the U20 AFCON Egypt 2023 | COSAFA Qualifier Tournament in Eswatini in October 2022.

South Africa finished third at the tournament after a 4-2 win on penalties against Angola saw the team claim the bronze medal in neighbouring Eswatini. Steenbok invited head coach Vela Khumalo, assistant coach Selekedi Mogale, goalkeeper coach Shu-Aib Walters, performance analyst Sinesipho Mali and physical conditioning Roelof Tinus van Rensburg to SAFA House on Monday (23 January 2022) to run the rule over the side.

“So this is the common practice here now,” the SAFA TD said.

“I met with Banyana Banyana when they came back from the friendly match against Australia in London (in October 2022). We allowed them to play the friendlies against Brazil (in September) and then immediately after the  Australia match we had a debrief. So this is now standard here at SAFA.

“From the tournament we now have a debrief where all the members of the technical team give input about their  own reports during camp. The key elements are the lessons we learn, and where we can improve as we go forward. Today (Tuesday, 24 January 2023) we are having a Zoom meeting with the South African Under-17 team that went to Malawi (in December 2022) and won the  COSAFA Under-17 Championship. So this is not a witch hunt. I am also taking to National Under-17 women’s team coach Delisile Mbatha, and Ntombifuthi Khumalo about how things went in Malawi, their preparations ahead of the tournament, their challenges and how we can improve.

“So, we will have these discussions ahead of every tournament and then have a post analysis afterwards.”

Mbatha’s charges won the COSAFA Under-17 Championship in Malawi on 11 December 2022. They beat defending champions Zambia 4-3 in a seven-goal thriller in Lilongwe, Malawi.