8 February 2023 – National under-17 coach Duncan Crowie says the recent selection camp held at the SAFA National Technical Centre (Fun Valley) in the south of Johannesburg was a huge success.
Crowie ran the rule over several players as he continues his preparations and planning for this year’s Africa U-17 Cup of Nations.
The tournament will be held in Algeria from 29 April to 19 May 2023 and South Africa have been pitted against Nigeria, Morocco and Zambia in Group B.
“We just completed a very successful selection camp for the South African Under-17 team that is going to the 2023 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations in Algeria,” Crowie told www.www.safa.net.
“I must say we picked up nine new players that we will include in our next training camp. I think it makes a huge positive difference.
“This is what the selection camp was all about. We are looking forward to the next camp where we can get the players to gel and play as far as our philosophy and tactics are concerned when we go to the 2023 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations. So yes, it was successful and we are looking forward to the next camp.”
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos visited Crowie’s camp at Fun Valley this week to support the team, and to also engage around future technical inputs and collaborations.
South African senior national team assistant coach Helman Mkhalele, SAFA Technical Director Walter Steenbok, SAFA scout David Nyathi and performance analyst Sinesipho Mali were also in attendance in the south of Johannesburg.
Crowie’s charges qualified for the 2023 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations after reaching the final of the Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations COSAFA qualifier tournament in Lilongwe, Malawi, in December last year.
They suffered a 0-1 defeat to Zambia in the final in a result that was bitter-sweet. Crowie was disappointed to lose in the final but was also happy that his team achieved their objective of qualifying for the U17 Africa Cup of Nations.
PLAYERS INVITED TO THE SELECTION CAMP
Kostel Novela
Bandilke Sithole
Kai Haskell
Zidane Saunders
Zidan De Kock
Modather Amr Abdelmoez Mohamed Khalil
Xolani Tshaka
Tshiamo Selemela
Zach Taitz
Tyrese Davids
Thando Mkhwanazi
Kethumetsi Lesia
Benjamin Wallace
Zakhele Shabangu
Tshiamo Masisi
Khumo Mokoele
Oarabile Booysen
Ntokozo Siquba
Mpho Mokgobu
Vincent Sithole
Ofentse Kgosana
Matala Makubo
Mpho Khethang
Vicky Mkhawana
Neo Daniel Bohloko
Takalani Mzhamba
Sfiso Timba
Kutlwano Letlhaku
Siyabonga Mabena