Notoane pleads for SA under-23 support

Notoane pleads for SA under-23 support

South Africa under-23 coach David Notoane is hoping to get the support of professional clubs in his bid to qualify for the 2023 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco next year.

Notoane has called up 30 players as part of a provisional squad for the two-legged second round qualifier against Togo, which is scheduled for 20 and 27 October.

However, with this being outside of the FIFA international calendar, clubs will not be obliged to released the players for the camp and the junior national team mentor is pleading for support from the powers that be.

œThe squad we selected is a continuation of the camp we had previously in preparation for this official qualifying Round Two match against Togo, Notoane said.

œSo now you see players like Thapelo Maseko and Keagan Johannes coming into contention - hoping that, of course, with the match being outside of the FIFA calendar, we will receive support from the clubs.

œOne understands that the programme is going to be intense for a lot of the clubs after the FIFA week, and the demand for bigger squads will be there.

"But we are mitigating and negotiating with the various clubs to see how we can meet each other halfway to make sure that we have got the strongest final selection to represent South Africa, and help our cause to qualify for a third successive AFCON tournament, and also push to qualify for a third successive Olympic Games.

After a bye in the first round, South Africa will need to get past the Togolese and then face the winner between Congo and Tunisia in March next year, before booking their spots at the AFCON finals in Morocco.

œWe have seen Togo, we have got footage of their games against Mauritania in the First Round last month. We are analysing their matches as we speak and the final 23-man squad will be informed by the players who are suited to the challenge that Togo will present for us in terms of this qualifying match," Notoane added.

Full SA U-23 provisional squad: 

1. Lincoln Vyver

GK

Cape Town Spurs

Cape Town

2. Bontle Molefe

GK

Kaizer Chiefs

Johannesburg

3. Olwethu Mzimela

GK

AmaZulu

Durban

4. Wayne Dortley

DF

Cape Town Spurs

Cape Town

5. Kamogelo Mahlangu

DF

TS Galaxy

Johannesburg

6. Zuko Mdunyelwa

DF

Chippa United

Gqeberha

7. Siyanda Msani

DF

Richards Bay FC

Richards Bay

8. Khaya Mfecane

DF

Cape Town Spurs

Cape Town

9. Keegan Allan

FW

Swallows FC

Johannesburg

10. Kerwin Peters  

DF

All Stars FC

Johannesburg

11. Thabiso Sesane

DF

All Stars FC

Johannesburg

12. Keagan Johannes

DF

SuperSport United

Tshwane

13. Bongo Lawana

MF

Casric FC

KwaMahlangu

14. Jayden Adams

MF

Stellenbosch FC

Stellenbosch

15. Ethan Brooks

MF

TS Galaxy

Johannesburg

16. Oswin Andries

MF

Stellenbosch FC

Stellenbosch

17. Rowan Human

MF

Maritzburg United

Pietermaritzburg

18. Sifiso Mbidana

MF

Pretoria Callies

Tshwane

19. Mpho Mathebula

MF

Richards Bay FC

Richards Bay

20. Azola Tshobeni

MF

JDR Stars

Tshwane

21. Thapelo Maseko

MF

SuperSport United

Tshwane

22. Cassius Mailula

FW

Mamelodi Sundowns

Tshwane

23. Ashley Cupido

FW

Cape Town Spurs

Cape Town

24. Azola Matrose

FW

Chippa United

Gqeberha

25. Antonio van Wyk

FW

Stellenbosch FC

Stellenbosch

26. Fuad Johnson

FW

La Masia FC

Johannesburg

27. Chumani Butsaka

FW

Cape Town Spurs

Cape Town

28. Thuso Mogale

FW

Baroka FC

Polokwane

29. Dan Ndlovu

FW

Baroka FC

Polokwane

30. Aphelele Teto

FW

TS Galaxy

Johannesburg

By Web Admin