adminJOHANNESBURG. — South Africa Under-23 coach Owen Da Gama has named an almost unchanged side from the one that held Zimbabwe to a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the Olympic qualifier at Rufaro last Sunday. The second leg will take place either on 1 or 2 August at a venue still to be decided.
The only players to be have been added to the squad that travelled to Harare are goalkeeper Ludwe Mpakumpaku from Cape Town All Stars, midfielder Lebogang Phiri from Brondby IF FC in Denmark and striker Andile Fikizolo of Supersport United.
The winner between South Africa and Zimbabwe will qualify for the eight-nation tournament in Senegal from 28 November to 12 December later this year to determine which three teams qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympics.
Da Gama said there was something special coming out of his squad.
“I still maintain that was not a penalty; not in a million times, never. But in football you have to admit in home-town decisions. That was one of those horrible decisions but I am proud of the boys,” said Da Gama.
He said the squad would reassemble on Sunday to start preparing for the return leg and was hopeful this group of players would go places.
“I see their desire and purpose; they want to go to Rio next year for Olympics. They know doing well in this tournament would also open doors for their respective careers. That is good motivation on its own.”
Assistant coach Shaun Bartlett told the players to go back to their respective players and maintain their work ethic and shape.
“We have only done half the job; we need to finish it off during the second leg. You have what it takes to go all the way. Just maintain your discipline, continue working hard and most things will generally take care of themselves,” said the former Bafana Bafana star to the team after the game.
Goal-scorer Dolly said while he was personally happy with his excellent performance, he said it would have been terrific to leave Harare with a win.
“If we maintain the same high standards, the sky is definitely the limit. But first of all, we need to do it all over again in the second leg and beat Zimbabwe to qualify for the 8-Nation tournament in Senegal.
“There it would be anyone’s game I tell you. The more we play together, the more we grow in confidence. We made a bright start and I believe we can only get better,” added the exciting midfielder.
Full Squad
GOALKEEPERS: Ludwe MPAKUMPAKU (Cape Town All Stars), Ricardo GOSS (Golden Arrows), Jody FEBRUARY (Ajax Cape Town)
DEFENDERS: Tshepo RHIKOTSO (Bloemfontein Celtic), Kwanda MNGONYAMA (Mamelodi Sundowns), Motjeka MADISHA (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thabo MAKHELE (Witbank Spurs), Tebogo MOERANE (Bidvest Wits), Zitha MACHEKE (Chippa United), Siyabonga ZULU (Platinum Stars)
MIDFIELDERS: Ayabulela KONQOBE (Ajax Cape Town), Abbubaker MOBARA (Ajax Cape Town), Keagan DOLLY (Mamelodi Sundowns), Gift MOTUPA (Orlando Pirates), Jino MOEKETSI (SuperSport United), Phumlane NTSHANGASE (Bidvest Wits), Maphosa MODIBA (Mpumalanga Black Aces), Riyaad NORODIEN (Ajax Cape Town), Lebogang PHIRI (Brondby IF, Denmark)
STRIKERS: Siphiwe KAMBULE (Highlands Park), Andile FIKIZOLO (SuperSport United), Siphelele NTSHANGASE (Black Leopards), Dumsani ZUMA (Bloemfontein Celtic). – SuperSport
Online Reporter