SA Under-23 squad named for UAE tournament against Brazil and Argentina

South Africa Under-23 coach David Notoane has named a 25-man squad to participate in a tournament in the United Arab Emirates against Brazil, Korea and Argentina.

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The tournament will take place from 5-11 June, 2021.

The event is part of the Under-23 preparations for the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics set to take centre stage from 22 July to 8 August, 2021.

South Africa is in Group A together with hosts Japan who they play on 22 July at the Tokyo Stadium and France who they meet at Saitama Stadium on 25 July.

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David Notoane’s side then round off their group stage matches against Mexico at the Sapporo Dome on July 28.

This will be the fourth preparation camp for Notoane’s charges ahead of the Tokyo Olympic football tournament and the coach has emphasised that his aim going into the UAE camp will be to assess how overseas based players integrate with local players.

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“The upcoming camp in Dubai is one that kick-starts our preparations for the Olympic Games. It is also aimed at integrating our foreign based players to see what they can bring into the group in terms of increasing the team quality and addressing key challenging positions,” said Notoane.

“We hope that we can get all the players that we require to integrate them during this vital preparation camp against Brazil, Korea and Argentina.  It will also give us a good measure in terms of the level of our players’ state of preparedness for the Tokyo Olympics later in July.’’

Notoane said he was looking forward to the Olympic Games and believes the local and overseas-based players have what it takes to do the country proud.

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SOUTH AFRICA UNDER-23 SQUAD FOR UAE TOURNAMENT:

GOALKEEPERS

1. Mondli Mpoto (Bloemfontein Celtic FC)

2. Lincoln Vyver (Cape Town Spurs FC)

3. Ricardo Goss (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)

DEFENDERS

4. Tercious Malepe (FC Minaj, Ukraine)

5. Katlego Mohamme (University of Pretoria FC)

6. Thendo  Mukumela (Cape Town Spurs FC)

7. Luke Fleurs (Supersport United FC)

8. Bongani Sam (Orlando Pirates FC)

9. Keanu Cupido (Cape Town City FC)

10. Kamogelo Mahlangu (TS Galaxy FC)

MIDFIELDERS

11. Luke Le Roux (Varbergs BoIS FC, Sweden)

12. Thabo Cele (Cova da Piedade, Portugal)

13. Khanya Leshabela (Liecester City FC, England)

14. Athenkosi Dlala (University of Pretoria FC)

15. Neo Gift Links (Aarhus GF, Denmark)

16. Kobamelo Kodisang (Sporting Braga FC, Portugal)

17. Nkosingiphile Ngcobo (Kaizer Chiefs FC)

18. Sphephelo Sithole (Os Belenenses AD, Portugal)

19. Promise Mkhuma (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)

FORWARDS

20. Fagrie Lakay (Cape Town City)

21. Siyabonga Ligendza (Cardiff City FC, England)

22. Luther Singh (FC Pacos de Ferreira, Portugal)

23. Keletso Makgalwa (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)

24. Lyle Foster (Vitoria Guimares FC, Portugal)

25. Liam Jordan (FC Helsingor, Denmark)

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