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 | ||
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First international | |||
![]() ![]() | |||
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 | ![]() | ||
African Games | |||
Appearances | 4 (first in 1999) | ||
Best result | ![]() |
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 | ![]() | Talatona, Angola |
16:00 WAT | Teixeira ![]() |
Report | Mahlambi ![]() Mukumela ![]() Margeman ![]() |
Stadium: Estádio 11 de Novembro Referee: Lebalang Mokete (Lesotho) |
26 March 2019 2019 AFCON Q | South Africa ![]() | 3–0 | ![]() | Johannesburg, South Africa |
19:00 SAST | Webber ![]() Mokoena ![]() Singh ![]() |
Report | Stadium: Bidvest Stadium Referee: Audrick Nkole (Zambia) |
6 September 2019 2019 AFCON Q | South Africa ![]() | 5–0 | ![]() | Johannesburg, South Africa |
19:00 SAST | Kodisang ![]() Singh ![]() Mokoena ![]() Foster ![]() |
Report | Stadium: Orlando Stadium Referee: António Caluassi Dungula (Angola) |
10 September 2019 2019 AFCON Q | Zimbabwe ![]() | 0–0 | ![]() | Bulawayo, Zimbabwe |
15:00 CAT | Report | Stadium: Barbourfields Stadium Referee: Tshepo Mokani Gobagoba (Botswana) |
9 November 2019 2019 AFCON GS | South Africa ![]() | 0–0 | ![]() | Cairo, Egypt |
20:00 CAT | Report | Stadium: Al Salam Stadium Referee: Salima Mukansanga (Rwanda) |
12 November 2019 2019 AFCON GS | Ivory Coast ![]() | 0–1 | ![]() | Cairo, Egypt |
17:00 CAT | Report | Mokoena ![]() |
Stadium: Al Salam Stadium Referee: Souleiman Ahmed Djama (Djibouti) |
15 November 2019 2019 AFCON GS | Nigeria ![]() | 0–0 | ![]() | Cairo, Egypt |
20:00 CAT | Report | Stadium: Al Salam Stadium Referee: Boubou Traoré (Mali) |
19 November 2019 2019 AFCON SF | Egypt ![]() | 3–0 | ![]() | Cairo, Egypt |
20:00 CAT | R. Sobhi ![]() Magdy ![]() |
Report | Stadium: Cairo International Stadium Referee: Daouda Guèye (Senegal) |
22 November 2019 2019 AFCON 3rd place match | South Africa ![]() | 2–2 (6–5 p) | ![]() | Cairo, Egypt |
16:00 CAT | Mohammed ![]() Mahlatsi ![]() |
Report | Mensah ![]() Obeng ![]() |
Stadium: Cairo International Stadium Referee: Boubou Traoré (Mali) |
Penalties | ||||
Malepe ![]() Margeman ![]() Mukumela ![]() Singh ![]() Dlala ![]() Mohamme ![]() Kodisang ![]() Foster ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2021
22 July 2020 Summer Olympics GS Group A | Japan ![]() | 1–0 Source (FIFA) | ![]() | Tokyo, Japan |
20:00 UTC+9 | Kubo ![]() |
Report (FIFA) | Stadium: Tokyo Stadium Referee: Jesús Valenzuela (Venezuela) |
25 July 2020 Summer Olympics GS Group A | France ![]() | 4–3 Source (FIFA) | ![]() | Satiama, Japan |
17:00 UTC+9 | Gignac ![]() Savanier ![]() |
Report (FIFA) | Kodisang ![]() Makgopa ![]() Mokoena ![]() |
Stadium: Saitama Stadium 2002 Referee: Kevin Ortega (Peru) |
28 July 2020 Summer Olympics GS Group A | South Africa ![]() | 0–3 Source (FIFA) | ![]() | Sapporo, Japan |
20:30 UTC+9 | Report (FIFA) | Vega ![]() Romo ![]() Martín ![]() |
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 | ![]() | |
GK | Olwethu Mzimela | 18 April 2001 | 0 | 0 | ![]() | |
GK | Lincoln Vyver | 2 March 2001 | 0 | 0 | ![]() | |
DF | Kegan Johannes | 31 March 2001 | 3 | 0 | ![]() | |
DF | McBeth Mahlangu | 11 October 2001 | 1 | 0 | ![]() | |
DF | Bradley Cross | 30 January 2001 | 0 | 0 | ![]() | |
DF | Rushwin Dortley | 2 May 2002 | 0 | 0 | ![]() | |
DF | Olwethu Makhanya | 30 April 2004 | 0 | 0 | ![]() | |
DF | Athenkosi Mcaba | 9 January 2002 | 0 | 0 | ![]() | |
MF | Jayden Adams | 5 May 2001 | 0 | 0 | ![]() | |
MF | Oswin Appolis | 25 August 2001 | 0 | 0 | ![]() | |
MF | Ethan Brooks | 22 November 2001 | 0 | 0 | ![]() | |
MF | Kegs Chauke | 8 January 2003 | 0 | 0 | ![]() | |
MF | Thapelo Maseko | 11 November 2002 | 0 | 0 | ![]() | |
MF | Siyanda Msani | 12 August 2001 | 0 | 0 | ![]() | |
MF | Christos Retsos | 2 May 2001 | 0 | 0 | ![]() | |
MF | Samkelo Zwane | 4 January 2002 | 0 | 0 | ![]() | |
FW | Ashley Cupido | 5 May 2001 | 0 | 0 | ![]() | |
FW | Yanela Mbuthuma | 23 February 2002 | 0 | 0 | ![]() | |
FW | Boitumelo Radiopane | 21 January 2002 | 0 | 0 | ![]() | |
FW | Mduduzi Shabalala | 20 January 2004 | 0 | 0 | ![]() | |
FW | Devin Titus | 18 May 2001 | 0 | 0 | ![]() | |
FW | Antonio Van Wyk | 30 March 2002 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
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 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Keagan Allen | 2 April 2001 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Wayne Dortley | 2 May 2002 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Zuko Mdunyelwa | 6 June 2001 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Khaya Mfecane | 8 July 2001 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Kerwin Peters | 2 September 2000 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
DF | Thabiso Sesane | 4 May 2001 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Oswin Andries | Unknown | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Cassius Mailula | 12 June 2001 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
MF | Azola Matrose | 27 March 2003 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Chumani Butsaka | 3 October 2001 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Dan Ndlovu | 22 April 2002 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
FW | Aphelele Teto | 13 June 2003 | 0 | 0 | ![]() |
v. ![]() |
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 | |
![]() | Did not enter | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
![]() | Did not qualify | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
![]() | Group Stage | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 5 | |
![]() | Did not qualify | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
![]() | Did not qualify | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
![]() | Did not qualify | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
![]() | Group Stage | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
![]() | Group Stage | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 8 | |
![]() | 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 | |
![]() | Group stage | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 4 | |
![]() | Third place | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 7 | |
![]() | Third place | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 5 | |
![]() | 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 | |
![]() | Third Place | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 2 | |
![]() | Group Stage | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | |
![]() | Group Stage | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | |
![]() | Runners up | 5 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 2 | |
![]() | 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.