MTHULISI SIBANDA

JOHANNESBURG – SOUTH Africa Under 23 coach Owen da Gama, has named his squad to represent the country at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games scheduled to start in Brazil next month.

Da Gama has roped two overage players in Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana duo of goalkeeper, Itumeleng Khune, and defender, Eric Mathoho,.

“The technical team is very pleased with the balance in the squad, and the fact that we have five or six versatile players makes the squad stronger. We felt it necessary to limit the number of overage players, just so that we could make provision for another u23 player,” said Da Gama.

The South African Football Association has called on South Africans to support the team.

The side is in Group A alongside hosts Brazil, Iraq and Denmark.

South Africa last participated in the Olympic Games in the year 2000 under the leadership of Ephraim Mashaba, who is currently the Bafana Bafana head coach.

The SA u23 squad to Rio Olympic Games:

GOALKEEPERS:

1. Jody FEBRUARY Ajax Cape Town FC (SA)

2. Itumeleng KHUNE Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)

DEFENDERS

3. Kwandakwensizwa MNGONYAMA Maritzburg United FC (SA)

4.Rivaldo COETZEE Ajax Cape Town FC (SA)

5. Abbubaker MOBARA Orlando Pirates FC (SA)

6. Mothobi MVALA Highlands Park FC (SA)

7. Erick MATHOHO Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)

8.Tebogo MOERANE Bidvest Wits FC (SA)

9. Tercious MALEPE Orlando Pirates FC (SA)

MIDFIELDERS:

10. Gift MOTUPA Orlando Pirates FC (SA)

11. Maphosa MODIBA Mpumalanga Black Aces FC (SA)

12. Deolin MEKOA Maritzburg United FC (SA)

13. Keagan DOLLY Mamelodi Sundowns (SA)

14. Phumlani NTSHANGASE Bidvest Wits FC (SA)

STRIKERS:

15. Menzi MASUKU Chippa United FC (SA)

16. Tashreeq MORRIS Ajax Cape Town FC (SA)

17. Lebogang MOTHIBA Lille F.C (France)

18. Tyroane SANDOWS Gremio FC (Brazil)

Additional Players:

1. Nkosingiphile GUMEDE Golden Arrows FC (SA)

2. Andile FIKIZOLO Golden Arrows FC(SA)

3. Thapelo MORENA Bloemfontein Celtics FC (SA)

4. Thabiso KUTUMELA Orlando Pirates FC (SA). – CAJ News