The South African U23 men's national team is set to face Algeria in two friendly matches at Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein on Thursday and Sunday at 6pm. Coach Raymond Mdaka believes these matches will help his team gel ahead of the Olympic Games qualifiers in November and December. The friendlies form part of their preparations to fine-tune their strategy and team composition.
Mdaka expressed his optimism about the team's potential, stating that he has a strong team for the friendlies. He mentioned that the matches will provide an opportunity for his players to improve and for him to assess their performance. The coach emphasized that the team is working hard to achieve their goals and that these friendlies will be crucial in their preparation.
The team's preparations are part of a larger process, with Mdaka noting that the current team could have a significant overlap with the group that played in the previous World Cup and Afcon from the U20. He stated that normally, 80% or 90% of the players in this team would be part of the U23 team. This provides an opportunity for players who have previously performed well to build on their experience.
Mdaka's squad for the friendlies includes several talented players such as Luke Baartman, Faiz Abrahams, Camren Dansin, Simphiwe Selepe, Mpho Padime, Neo Rapoo, Gomolemo Kekana, Mfundo Vilakazi, Kutlwano Letlhaku, and Quwani Plaatjies. The coach mentioned that selecting a starting 11 will be a challenging task, but he is confident that he can find the right balance and combination to achieve good results.
The coach highlighted the importance of balancing the team, stating that it is a difficult challenge but one that they will work on to ensure they get the best combination. Mdaka expressed his excitement about the team's potential and the opportunities that these friendlies provide. He emphasized that the team's hard work and dedication will be crucial in achieving their goals.
Mdaka's approach to team selection and preparation is focused on achieving progression and success. He noted that what the team does today cannot be compared to what they can do next week, emphasizing the importance of continuous improvement. The friendlies against Algeria will provide valuable insights into the team's performance and help Mdaka make informed decisions about the team's composition.
The friendlies against Algeria will be an important milestone in the team's preparation for the Olympic Games qualifiers. With a strong team and a focused approach, Mdaka is confident that his team can achieve their goals and make a positive impact in the qualifiers. The team's performance in these friendlies will be crucial in determining their readiness for the challenges ahead.
Key points
- SA U23 men's national team coach Raymond Mdaka aims to finalize his team for Olympic Games qualifiers with friendlies against Algeria.
- The friendlies will help Mdaka assess his team's performance and make informed decisions about the team's composition.
- The team's preparations are part of a larger process, with a focus on achieving progression and success in the Olympic Games qualifiers.
