South Africa’s Under-23 coach, Steve Komphela, is hoping to unearth future stars from the 23 men he has selected to represent South Africa at the Sasol Under-23 Nations Tournament.
They will find themselves up against stiff competition from seven strong teams when the tournament starts on Sunday January 8.
Komphela’s core players have been unavailable for selection as they battle it out for places in Ted Dumitru’s Bafana Bafana African Nations Cup squad or parading their skills for the Premier Soccer League Invitational XI.
If he cannot find skilled players to replace those selected, South African soccer might find itself struggling to qualify for the All Africa Games and the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
”This tournament is not about disturbing our plans and preparations; instead, it gives me an opportunity to … access other players.
”Obviously we are focusing our attention on our All Africa and Beijing qualifiers, but we also need to look at other players in case there arises a need to use them,” Komphela said on Thursday. ”This tournament gives us the opportunity to understand winning and losing and will go a long way in getting our boys into the right frame of mind for future competitions.”
Although the emphasis of South Africa’s participation in tournament will be on building a squad, the former Bafana Bafana skipper is keen on winning the tournament — to establishing a culture of winning.
”We need to win major tournaments, and this is one of those competitions we want to win,” said Komphela.
The squad he has chosen is an even balance of experience and youth and will open its account against China at the Orlando Stadium on Sunday, followed by a match against Senegal at Katlehong Stadium the next day.
Amaglug-glug’s final Pool A game will be against neighbours Lesotho at the George Thabe Stadium on Wednesday.
The semifinals will be played on Friday at the Katlehong Stadium with the fifth and sixth and seventh and eighth play-off matches on Saturday at the George Thabe Stadium.
The final and third and fourth play-off matches will be played on Sunday (Jan 15) at Orlando Stadium. — Sapa
SA Under-23 squad
Itumeleng Khune, Wayne Sunderland, James Madidilane, Rudi Isaacs, Robyn Johannes, Thapelo Tshilo, Jeffrey Ntuka, Innocent Mdledle, Tshepo Masilela, Luvhengo Mungomeni, Cyril Zuma, Siphiwe Tshabalala, Michael Nkambule, Mbulelo Mackenzie, Boy-Boy Mosia, Kagiso Dikgacoe, Bongani Mbele, Tumelo Nhlapo, Stanton Lewis, Romano Scott, Kwena Mathopa, Itshegetseng Lehumo, Richard Rantjie.
Fixtures
Sunday January 8
Zimbabwe vs Ghana, 1pm, Orlando Stadium
South Africa vs China, 3.34pm, Orlando Stadium
Lesotho vs Senegal, 6pm, Katlehong Stadium
Mozambique vs Côte d’Ivoire, 8.30pm, Katlehong
Monday January 9
China vs Lesotho, 6pm, Katlehong Stadium
Senegal vs South Africa, 8.30pm, Katlehong Stadium
Zimbabwe vs Mozambique, 1pm, Mohlakeng Stadium
Ghana vs Côte d’Ivoire, 3.30pm, Mohlakeng Stadium
Wednesday January 11
Lesotho vs South Africa, 2.35pm, George Thabe Stadium
Côte d’Ivoire vs Zimbabwe, 4.30pm, George Thabe Stadium
Ghana vs Mozambique, 2pm, Mohlakeng Stadium
Senegal vs China, 4.30pm, Mohlakeng Stadium
Friday January 13
First semifinal, 2.35pm, Katlehong Stadium
Second semifinal, 6pm, Katlehong Stadium
Saturday January 14
Seventh and eighth play-off, 1pm, George Thabe Stadium
Fifth and sixth play-off, 3.45pm, George Thabe Stadium
Sunday January 15
Third and fourth play-off, 1pm, Orlando Stadium
Final, 3.45pm, Orlando Stadium