South Africa national under-23 soccer team
The South Africa national under-23 football team is a youth football team, which represents South Africa and is controlled by the South African Football Association, the governing body for football in South Africa. The team's main objectives are to qualify and play at the All-Africa Games and Olympic Games. The team has played at three All-Africa Games and one Olympic tournament. Players who are selected, will be 23 or younger in the following Olympic year. With the next Olympics being held in London in 2012, players need to have been born on or after 1 January 1989. At the Olympic finals tournament, the team may be supplemented with 3 over-age players.[2]
Nickname(s) | Amaglug-glug | ||
---|---|---|---|
Association | South African Football Association | ||
Confederation | CAF (Africa) | ||
Sub-confederation | COSAFA | ||
Head coach | Vacant | ||
Captain | Repo Malepe | ||
FIFA code | RSA | ||
| |||
First international | |||
South Africa 0–0 Ghana [1] | |||
Olympic Games | |||
Appearances | 3 (first in 2000) | ||
Best result | Group Stage (2000, 2016, 2020) | ||
Africa U-23 Cup of Nations | |||
Appearances | 3 (first in 2011) | ||
Best result | Third place (2015, 2019) | ||
African Games | |||
Appearances | 4 (first in 1999) | ||
Best result | Silver Medal (2011) |
History
The team was started in 1994, when SAFA decided to form a youth team. The team has been sponsored by SASOL since its inception, leading to the nickname, 'Amaglug-glug'. The team's greatest achievements to date include a third-place finish at the 1999 All-Africa Games, hosted in South Africa and qualifying for the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia.
Results and fixtures
- Legend
Win Draw Lose Fixture
2019
22 March 2019 2019 AFCON Q | Angola | 1–3 | South Africa | Talatona, Angola |
16:00 WAT | Teixeira 87' | Report | Mahlambi 7' Mukumela 16' Margeman 62' |
Stadium: Estádio 11 de Novembro Referee: Lebalang Mokete (Lesotho) |
26 March 2019 2019 AFCON Q | South Africa | 3–0 | Angola | Johannesburg, South Africa |
19:00 SAST | Webber 10' Mokoena 80' Singh 90+2' |
Report | Stadium: Bidvest Stadium Referee: Audrick Nkole (Zambia) |
6 September 2019 2019 AFCON Q | South Africa | 5–0 | Zimbabwe | Johannesburg, South Africa |
19:00 SAST | Kodisang 17' Singh 35', 60' Mokoena 40' Foster 66' |
Report | Stadium: Orlando Stadium Referee: António Caluassi Dungula (Angola) |
10 September 2019 2019 AFCON Q | Zimbabwe | 0–0 | South Africa | Bulawayo, Zimbabwe |
15:00 CAT | Report | Stadium: Barbourfields Stadium Referee: Tshepo Mokani Gobagoba (Botswana) |
9 November 2019 2019 AFCON GS | South Africa | 0–0 | Zambia | Cairo, Egypt |
20:00 CAT | Report | Stadium: Al Salam Stadium Referee: Salima Mukansanga (Rwanda) |
12 November 2019 2019 AFCON GS | Ivory Coast | 0–1 | South Africa | Cairo, Egypt |
17:00 CAT | Report | Mokoena 79' | Stadium: Al Salam Stadium Referee: Souleiman Ahmed Djama (Djibouti) |
15 November 2019 2019 AFCON GS | Nigeria | 0–0 | South Africa | Cairo, Egypt |
20:00 CAT | Report | Stadium: Al Salam Stadium Referee: Boubou Traoré (Mali) |
19 November 2019 2019 AFCON SF | Egypt | 3–0 | South Africa | Cairo, Egypt |
20:00 CAT | R. Sobhi 59' (pen.) Magdy 84', 89' |
Report | Stadium: Cairo International Stadium Referee: Daouda Guèye (Senegal) |
22 November 2019 2019 AFCON 3rd place match | South Africa | 2–2 (6–5 p) | Ghana | Cairo, Egypt |
16:00 CAT | Mohammed 15' (o.g.) Mahlatsi 62' |
Report | Mensah 50' Obeng 85' |
Stadium: Cairo International Stadium Referee: Boubou Traoré (Mali) |
Penalties | ||||
Malepe Margeman Mukumela Singh Dlala Mohamme Kodisang Foster |
Lomotey Mensah Issah Fobi Obeng Sarpong Fuseini Cudjoe |
2021
22 July 2020 Summer Olympics GS Group A | Japan | 1–0 Source (FIFA) | South Africa | Tokyo, Japan |
20:00 UTC+9 | Kubo 71' | Report (FIFA) | Stadium: Tokyo Stadium Referee: Jesús Valenzuela (Venezuela) |
25 July 2020 Summer Olympics GS Group A | France | 4–3 Source (FIFA) | South Africa | Satiama, Japan |
17:00 UTC+9 | Gignac 57', 78', 86' (pen.) Savanier 90+3' |
Report (FIFA) | Kodisang 53' Makgopa 73' Mokoena 82' |
Stadium: Saitama Stadium 2002 Referee: Kevin Ortega (Peru) |
28 July 2020 Summer Olympics GS Group A | South Africa | 0–3 Source (FIFA) | Mexico | Sapporo, Japan |
20:30 UTC+9 | Report (FIFA) | Vega 18' Romo 45+1' Martín 60' |
Stadium: Sapporo Dome Referee: Matthew Conger (New Zealand) |
Coaching staff
Manager history
- Jean-Michel d'Avray (1993–1997)
- Ephraim Mashaba (1998–2002)
- Kenneth Kubheka (2002–2004)
- Styles Phumo (2004)
- Steve Komphela (2005)
- Pitso Mosimane / Serame Letsoaka (2005)
- Steve Komphela (2005–2007)
- David Notoane (2019–2021)
- Helman Mkhalele (2021–2022)
- David Notoane (2022-2023)
Players
Current squad
- The following players were called up for the 2023 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations qualification matches.[3]
- Match dates: 23 and 27 March 2023
- Opposition: Congo
No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | Ephraim Mothibedi | Unknown | 0 | 0 | All Stars | |
GK | Olwethu Mzimela | 18 April 2001 | 0 | 0 | AmaZulu | |
GK | Lincoln Vyver | 2 March 2001 | 0 | 0 | Cape Town Spurs | |
DF | Kegan Johannes | 31 March 2001 | 3 | 0 | SuperSport United | |
DF | McBeth Mahlangu | 11 October 2001 | 1 | 0 | TS Galaxy | |
DF | Bradley Cross | 30 January 2001 | 0 | 0 | Maritzburg United | |
DF | Rushwin Dortley | 2 May 2002 | 0 | 0 | Cape Town Spurs | |
DF | Olwethu Makhanya | 30 April 2004 | 0 | 0 | Stellenbosch | |
DF | Athenkosi Mcaba | 9 January 2002 | 0 | 0 | Stellenbosch | |
MF | Jayden Adams | 5 May 2001 | 0 | 0 | Stellenbosch | |
MF | Oswin Appolis | 25 August 2001 | 0 | 0 | Pretoria Callies | |
MF | Ethan Brooks | 22 November 2001 | 0 | 0 | AmaZulu | |
MF | Kegs Chauke | 8 January 2003 | 0 | 0 | Burton Albion | |
MF | Thapelo Maseko | 11 November 2002 | 0 | 0 | SuperSport United | |
MF | Siyanda Msani | 12 August 2001 | 0 | 0 | Richards Bay | |
MF | Christos Retsos | 2 May 2001 | 0 | 0 | Aris Petroupolis | |
MF | Samkelo Zwane | 4 January 2002 | 0 | 0 | Kaizer Chiefs | |
FW | Ashley Cupido | 5 May 2001 | 0 | 0 | Cape Town Spurs | |
FW | Yanela Mbuthuma | 23 February 2002 | 0 | 0 | Richards Bay | |
FW | Boitumelo Radiopane | 21 January 2002 | 0 | 0 | Cape Town Spurs | |
FW | Mduduzi Shabalala | 20 January 2004 | 0 | 0 | Kaizer Chiefs | |
FW | Devin Titus | 18 May 2001 | 0 | 0 | Stellenbosch | |
FW | Antonio Van Wyk | 30 March 2002 | 0 | 0 | Stellenbosch |
Recent call-ups
The following players have previously been called up to the South Africa under-23 squad and remain eligible.
Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | Bontle Molefe | 6 January 2003 | 0 | 0 | Kaizer Chiefs | v. Togo, 30 October 2022 |
DF | Keagan Allen | 2 April 2001 | 0 | 0 | Moroka Swallows | v. Togo, 30 October 2022 |
DF | Wayne Dortley | 2 May 2002 | 0 | 0 | Cape Town Spurs | v. Togo, 30 October 2022 |
DF | Zuko Mdunyelwa | 6 June 2001 | 0 | 0 | Chippa United | v. Togo, 30 October 2022 |
DF | Khaya Mfecane | 8 July 2001 | 0 | 0 | Cape Town Spurs | v. Togo, 30 October 2022 |
DF | Kerwin Peters | 2 September 2000 | 0 | 0 | All Stars | v. Togo, 30 October 2022 |
DF | Thabiso Sesane | 4 May 2001 | 0 | 0 | All Stars | v. Togo, 30 October 2022 |
MF | Oswin Andries | Unknown | 0 | 0 | Stellenbosch | v. Togo, 30 October 2022 |
MF | Cassius Mailula | 12 June 2001 | 0 | 0 | Mamelodi Sundowns | v. Togo, 30 October 2022 |
MF | Azola Matrose | 27 March 2003 | 0 | 0 | Chippa United | v. Togo, 30 October 2022 |
FW | Chumani Butsaka | 3 October 2001 | 0 | 0 | Cape Town Spurs | v. Togo, 30 October 2022 |
FW | Dan Ndlovu | 22 April 2002 | 0 | 0 | Baroka | v. Togo, 30 October 2022 |
FW | Aphelele Teto | 13 June 2003 | 0 | 0 | TS Galaxy | v. Togo, 30 October 2022 |
Notable players
Players who have previously played for the under-23 team, and have since gone on to play for the senior team:
- Emile Baron
- Brian Baloyi
- Matthew Booth
- Delron Buckley
- Rowen Fernández
- Stanton Fredericks
- Quinton Fortune
- David Kannemeyer
- Steve Lekoelea
- Jabu Mahlangu
- Benni McCarthy
- Fabian McCarthy
- Aaron Mokoena
- Toni Nhleko
- Siyabonga Nomvete
- Andile Jali
- Thulani Serero
- Eric Mathoho
- Patrick Mbuthu
- Nkiphiteni Matombo
- Thiyekile Gulwa
- Mzunani Mgwigwi
Overage players in Olympic Games
Tournament | Player 1 | Player 2 | Player 3 |
---|---|---|---|
Brian Baloyi (GK) | Dumisa Ngobe (MF) | did not select | |
Itumeleng Khune (GK) | Eric Mathoho (DF) | did not select | |
Ronwen Williams (GK) | did not select |
Competitive record
Olympic Games
Summer Olympics record | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hosts/Year | Result | GP | W | D* | L | GS | GA | |
1992 | Did not enter | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
1996 | Did not qualify | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
2000 | Group Stage | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 5 | |
2004 | Did not qualify | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
2008 | Did not qualify | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
2012 | Did not qualify | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
2016 | Group Stage | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
2020 | Group Stage | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 8 | |
2024 | Did not qualify | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
Total | 3/9 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 9 | 15 |
- Prior to the 1992 Olympic Games campaign, the Olympic football tournament was open to full senior national teams.
Africa U-23 Cup of Nations
Africa U-23 Cup of Nations record | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hosts/Year | Result | GP | W | D* | L | GS | GA | |
2011 | Group stage | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 4 | |
2015 | Third place | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 7 | |
2019 | Third place | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 5 | |
2023 | Did not qualify | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
Total | 3/4 | 13 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 10 | 16 |
African Games
African Games record | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hosts/Year | Result | GP | W | D* | L | GS | GA | |
1999 | Third Place | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 2 | |
2003 | Group Stage | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | |
2007 | Group Stage | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | |
2011 | Runners up | 5 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 2 | |
2015 | did not qualify | |||||||
Total | 4/5 | 16 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 16 | 14 |
- *Draws include knockout matches decided by penalty shootout.
References
- "Under-23 National Team". Retrieved 30 December 2010.
- FIFA.com
- "Notoane names SA squad for CAF U23 Olympic Qualifiers clash against Congo". South African Football Association. 16 March 2023. Retrieved 23 March 2023.