South African u23 win a place to Tokoy 2020 Olympics without Mahambi
South Africa again qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics without winning the tournament. Unbelievably, South Africa with its huge heritage and talent in football has never won the African Cup of Nations U23 tournament.
This time around South Africa was boasting young PSL talents such as Tebog Mokoena, Sipho Mbule. The Supersport youngsters were both involved and contributed immensely to Supersport United winning the 2019 MTN8 cup. The team also includes Shipa United star defender Tercious Malepe and Kaizer Chiefs defender Siyabonga Ngezana. Not to forget rasing star Keletso Makgalwa, who had just recovered from Achilles injury, obtained in the game against Cape Town City in August. The team also included overseas-based players such as Luther SINGH (from Moreirense FC (PORTUGAL)) and Lyle FOSTER(from Cercle Brugge K.S.V (BELGIUM)).
Even though South Africa has qualified, they scored only three goals, showing their weakness upfront that currently exists in South African football. The defense was solid in the group stages but cracked in the crucial games. Tebogo Mokoena's solitary stunning free kick goal booked the Amaglug-glug a place in the semi final. The other department South Africa also struggles in is goalkeeping, even though Jonson did well he still lacks a lot of height to compete with European teams.
In the semi-final against Egypt, South Africa was unlucky to concede through a dubious penalty which was incorrectly given by the referee which changed the game after South Africa looked in control. Tebogo Mokoena also hit the woodwork from a brilliant free kick and South Africa was also unlucky to not be given a penalty. Amglug-glug were definitely unlucky in this game and should hold their heads high with pride.
Tebogo Mokoena was clearly the standout player for Amaglug-glug. His stunning free kick booked a place into the semi final for South Africa U23. He has shown in the PSL that he is a great player and he is one player who Bafana Bafana will hope can develop into a force in World football. Unfortunately, South Africa's best and most experienced attacker Phakamani Mhlambi was ruled out with an ankle injury just weeks before the tournament. Had he been there, he would have been unstoppable and could have given Amaglug-glug the quality, skill, pace, and finishing they lacked. He would have given the team qualitative superiority they lacked in 1v1 situations.
This time around South Africa was boasting young PSL talents such as Tebog Mokoena, Sipho Mbule. The Supersport youngsters were both involved and contributed immensely to Supersport United winning the 2019 MTN8 cup. The team also includes Shipa United star defender Tercious Malepe and Kaizer Chiefs defender Siyabonga Ngezana. Not to forget rasing star Keletso Makgalwa, who had just recovered from Achilles injury, obtained in the game against Cape Town City in August. The team also included overseas-based players such as Luther SINGH (from Moreirense FC (PORTUGAL)) and Lyle FOSTER(from Cercle Brugge K.S.V (BELGIUM)).
Even though South Africa has qualified, they scored only three goals, showing their weakness upfront that currently exists in South African football. The defense was solid in the group stages but cracked in the crucial games. Tebogo Mokoena's solitary stunning free kick goal booked the Amaglug-glug a place in the semi final. The other department South Africa also struggles in is goalkeeping, even though Jonson did well he still lacks a lot of height to compete with European teams.
In the semi-final against Egypt, South Africa was unlucky to concede through a dubious penalty which was incorrectly given by the referee which changed the game after South Africa looked in control. Tebogo Mokoena also hit the woodwork from a brilliant free kick and South Africa was also unlucky to not be given a penalty. Amglug-glug were definitely unlucky in this game and should hold their heads high with pride.
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