South Africa pick strong under-23 squad

MIDFIELDER Cyril Zuma is South Africa’s high-profile player in their Under-23 squad which takes on Namibia in an Under-23 Olympic qualifying match in Potchefstroom, South Africa, on Sunday.

South Africa have named a squad of 21 players which will be trimmed to 18 for the first-round, first-leg showdown. Zuma featured for the South African senior team which played Namibia in an international friendly in Windhoek on August 16.Zuma, who turns out for South African side City Pillars, is the player who is most likely to give Namibia problems.Most of the members of the South African side play for top clubs such as Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns.NAMIBIA WIN IN ANGOLA But Namibia are gearing up for the challenge and gave a good performance in a Four Nations tournament in Luanda, Angola, over the weekend.Namibia were called up at the last minute, but went on to win the tournament after beating Tanzania 3-0 and drawing 0-0 to Angola and 2-2 against Mozambique.At a press conference in Windhoek yesterday, the technical director of Namibian football, Seth Boois, presented a cup to the Namibian under-23 squad that they won in Angola.Namibian coach Bobby Samaria said his players were looking forward to the match, since Namibia had a good record against South Africa at junior level.”We have beaten them twice at junior level in recent years and the players are highly motivated for this match,” he said.The South African under-23 squad is as follows: Goalkeepers: Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Senzo Meyiwa (Orlando Pirates).Defenders: Lawrence Molekwane (Kaizer Chiefs), Joshua Sithole (Wits University), Robyn Johannes (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thapelo Tshilo (Jomo Cosmos), Jeffrey Ntuka (Westerlo), James Madidlane (Bloemfontein Celtic), Teshepo Masilela (Benoni Premier United).Midfielders: Masilo Modubi (Westerlo), Mkhanyiseli Siwahla (Ajax Cape Town), Richard Rantji (SuperSport United), Bernard Parker (Premier United), Daine Klate (SuperSport), Bongani Mbele (Moroka Swallows), Cyril Zuma (City Pillars), Bonginkosi Macala (Cosmos).Strikers: Calvin Kadi (Cosmos), Lerato Chabangu (Sundowns), Dean Furman (Glasgow Rangers), Lebohang Mokoena (Pirates).namibiasport.com.naZuma featured for the South African senior team which played Namibia in an international friendly in Windhoek on August 16.Zuma, who turns out for South African side City Pillars, is the player who is most likely to give Namibia problems.Most of the members of the South African side play for top clubs such as Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns. NAMIBIA WIN IN ANGOLA But Namibia are gearing up for the challenge and gave a good performance in a Four Nations tournament in Luanda, Angola, over the weekend.Namibia were called up at the last minute, but went on to win the tournament after beating Tanzania 3-0 and drawing 0-0 to Angola and 2-2 against Mozambique.At a press conference in Windhoek yesterday, the technical director of Namibian football, Seth Boois, presented a cup to the Namibian under-23 squad that they won in Angola.Namibian coach Bobby Samaria said his players were looking forward to the match, since Namibia had a good record against South Africa at junior level.”We have beaten them twice at junior level in recent years and the players are highly motivated for this match,” he said.The South African under-23 squad is as follows: Goalkeepers: Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Senzo Meyiwa (Orlando Pirates).Defenders: Lawrence Molekwane (Kaizer Chiefs), Joshua Sithole (Wits University), Robyn Johannes (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thapelo Tshilo (Jomo Cosmos), Jeffrey Ntuka (Westerlo), James Madidlane (Bloemfontein Celtic), Teshepo Masilela (Benoni Premier United).Midfielders: Masilo Modubi (Westerlo), Mkhanyiseli Siwahla (Ajax Cape Town), Richard Rantji (SuperSport United), Bernard Parker (Premier United), Daine Klate (SuperSport), Bongani Mbele (Moroka Swallows), Cyril Zuma (City Pillars), Bonginkosi Macala (Cosmos).Strikers: Calvin Kadi (Cosmos), Lerato Chabangu (Sundowns), Dean Furman (Glasgow Rangers), Lebohang Mokoena (Pirates).namibiasport.com.na