THE South African Under 23 National team coach, Ephraim “Shakes” Mashaba, has called up 25 players for camp in preparation for the all-important Eight Nations Olympic qualifier scheduled to take place in Egypt from November 26 – December 10.
The team assembled for camp on Wednesday 5 October and will begin their training sessions on Thursday, 6 October at the High Performance Centre, University of Pretoria until Monday 10 October.
The intention of the camp for the coach to spend more time with the players leading to the eight Nations tournament. A bulk of the players called up did not form part of the team that brought home the All Africa Games silver medal recently. Two practice matches against PSL teams have been lined during the camp.
“We are expecting players for this camp in preparation for the Eight Nations tournament in November this year. This time I’d like to use a lot of the players who did not make up part of the AAG squad. I’d like to use this camp not only for tactical formation but to address a serious issue when it comes to finishing up front. We are hoping to capitalize on the FIFA date in November to help us establish a strong team moving towards the tournament in the same month. The team will play two practice matches on Thursday and on the final day of the camp to conclude preparations and hopefully have the squad of players we’ll require in November” said Mashaba.
The South Africans have confirmed Senegal for an international friendly match. Details of the match will be communicated closer to the time.
South Africa has been drawn in Group A with tournament hosts, Egypt, Gabon and Ivory Coast. In Group B there is Nigeria, Senegal, Algeria and Morocco. The tournament takes place from 26 November – 10 December at the Military Stadium in Cairo. The three teams that top the CAF tournament will qualify for the Olympic games to take place in London from July 25 July-August 9 next year. The fourth team will battle it out against an Asian opposition for a place in the Olympic games next year.