SAFA have finally confirmed the official South African U23 Olympics squad, including three Kaizer Chiefs players.
The preparations for the Tokyo Olympics were disrupted by Covid-19 hitting the squad, with five players having to withdraw.
The players in question were Lyle Foster, Fagrie Lakay, Abbubaker Mobara, Sipho Mbule and Keletso Makgalwa, who was on the standby list.
SAFA now confirmed that Reeve Frosler, Thendo Mukumela and MacBeth Mahlangu were added to the squad, while the team arrived in Tokyo on Wednesday – with Frosler and Nkosingiphile Ngcobo joining the team after the CAF Champions League final.
“The Village is beautiful and we have been welcomed well. We have waited so long for these Games to take place and it is an honour for us all to be here. The players understand that this is a prestigious event that will definitely take their careers to the next level, as playing in the Olympics is a career highlight for every player,” said Notoane.
“We are currently jet-lagged and resting but the boys will be fine. We will in the next few days take it easy and have light training sessions before focusing fully on our opening match against hosts Japan.”
South Africa will kick off the tournament against hosts Japan at the Tokyo Stadium on 22 July, 13:00 SA time. The team will then face France on 25 July, 10:00, SA time and finish the group stage against Mexico on 28 July, 13:00, SA time.
19-man Olympic Squad:
GOALKEEPERS: Mondli MPOTO (Bloemfontein Celtic, Free State), Ronwen WILLIAMS (SuperSport United, Gauteng), Sifiso MLUNGWANA (Golden Arrows, KwaZulu Natal)
DEFENDERS: Tercious MALEPE (FC Minaj, Ukraine), Luke FLEURS (SuperSport United, Gauteng), Thabiso MONYANE (Orlando Pirates, Gauteng), Reeve FROSLER (Kaizer Chiefs, Gauteng), Thendo MUKUMELA (Cape Town Spurs, Western Cape), MacBeth MAHLANGU (TS Galaxy, Mpumalanga), Katlego MOHAMME (University of Pretoria, Gauteng), Sibusiso MABILISO (Kaizer Chiefs, Gauteng)
MIDFIELDERS: Teboho MOKOENA (SuperSport United, Gauteng), Thabo CELE (Free Agent), Nkosingiphile NGCOBO (Kaizer Chiefs, Gauteng), Goodman MOSELE (Orlando Pirates, Gauteng), Kamehelo MAHLATSI (Swallows FC, Gauteng)
FORWARDS: Luther SINGH (F.C Pasco de Ferreira, Portugal), Evidence MAKGOPA (Baroka FC, Limpopo), Kobamelo KODISANG (S.C Braga B, Portugal)
