FIVE-key players in the South African national under-23 team were left behind due to club commitments when their compatriots jetted off to France on Wednesday night for a three-week international tournament.
However, Orlando Pirates’ Lesley Manyathela, Benedict Vilakazi, Joseph Makhaya and Andile Cele as well as Sundowns midfielder Sipho Nunes will join the team on Sunday after playing for their clubs.
AmaGluglug have been drawn against tough opponents such as Germany, Japan, Italy and Ireland in the 10-nations showpiece in the forthcoming Festival International Espoirs du Toulon which will start on Monday and run through to May 19.
Pirates and arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs will be expected to thrill soccer fans at the FNB Stadium on Saturday as they have always done in their derbies while Sundowns and Jomo Cosmos will lock horns at KwaNyamazane Stadium in Nelspruit on Sunday.
All players selected for AmaGluglug have been in camp since Monday but they will complete their training in France.
The Sasol-sponsored team will be led by coach Ephraim ”Shakes” Mashaba. The 10 teams are divided into two groups and will play each other on a round robin basis. The top two in each group will participate in the semifinals from May 16.
South Africa go into the tournament after having lost their last two international friendly against Ivory Coast last month.
But Mashaba, whose team comprised mainly what he termed ”standbys”, said the two defeats against the Ivorians afforded him the opportunity to experiment.
Mashaba’s team will use the up-coming event in France as perfect preparations for the All Africa and Olympic Games qualifying matches. – Sapa