20 March 2023 – The South African under 23 men’s national team has assembled for camp at the SAFA Technical Center, in the south of Johannesburg, ahead of the two crucial back-to-back CAF U23 Olympic qualifiers against Congo (Brazzaville).
Coach David Notoane’s charges will lock horns with the Congolese in the first leg at Dobsonville on Thursday, 23 March 2023 and then travel to the central African country for the second leg scheduled for Monday 27 March 2023 at Massamba-Debat Stadium.
A total of 22 players are in camp with England-based Kgaugelo Chauke the only missing part of the puzzle, and he will join the team on Tuesday.
Speaking after the team’s first training session on Monday afternoon, head coach David Notoane was impressed with what was on display.
“Everyone is finally here, the only one who is outstanding is Kgaugelo Chauke (Exeter City FC) who will be joining us tomorrow, unfortunately he had some flight delays,” said Notoane.
“We have a lot of new players who have been integrated into this camp and of course, a lot them were active this past weekend. Today’s session was more to check who’s where with recovery session and tactical preparation.”
“One is happy so far with the outlook of the team in terms of the ideas we are trying to put together for the game on Thursday, very important game for us of course to get a victory.”
The team will have two more training sessions before the encounter on Thursday and Notoane said the side has adjusted to the national team schedule that does not offer enough days for preparations.
“It’s not the best in terms of days available for preparation, but it comes with the national team programme and we have adjusted things based on it,” the coach continued.
“Tomorrow we are putting everything together with regards to our permutations. We have a very talented group of players with different qualities and abilities, and it’s going to be the toughest job to get the right players that fit into the tactical plan for the match.”
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