14 April 2023 – South African Under-17 men’s national team coach Duncan Crowie remains confident as he continues with preparations ahead of the 2023 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.  

The tournament will be held in Algeria from 29 April – 19 May 2023 and Crowie will announce his final squad for the continental event at SAFA House on Tuesday, 18 April 2023. 

The youth team went into camp on 9 April 2023 and have been going through a series of training sessions with 28 players currently at the SAFA National Technical Centre (Fun Valley) in the south of Johannesburg. Only 21 players will be selected to travel to Algeria. 

Crowie told www.www.safa.net he was impressed with the work he has been able to do with the team during the local preparation camp.

“We have been in camp since Sunday and all the players reported for camp except for one. Preparations have been going well as we have been following a program, and I am happy with the outcome,” said the coach. 

“As far as the players are concerned, a lot of them have put up their hands. Yes, we have to select a squad of 21 players out of the 28 that we have in camp. We have talented players in the camp but unfortunately we can only select 21. It won’t be all doom and gloom for those who are not in the final squad as their names will go into the data base, and they will be up for future selections.”

With the tournament commencing on 29 April 2023, the coach is satisfied with the number of days he has to get his team ready for their first game against Morocco on 30 April 2023. 

“I am happy with the number of days we have had to prepare,pity that we could not have one previously. Next week we will have a local friendly match and as soon as we leave for Algeria we will have two more friendlies, which have been confirmed already.”