Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune is expected to be in goal when the SA U23 side tackles host nation Brazil in the opening match of the 2016 Olympic Games.
Insiders told Tiso Blackstar Digital that Khune is one of three overage players who will be part of SA U23 coach Owen da Gama’s squad and, barring injury‚ the Chiefs goalkeeper should face the likes of Neymar at the Estádio Nacional in Brasília on August 4.
The Cosafa Cup‚ where the U23s’ defence has been brittle‚ has reinforced Da Gama’s view that the overage players for the Olympics need to reinforce SA’s spine.
“The rest of the boys can play. But just to get a better spine and good leadership in that area can really help us‚” said Da Gama.
Da Gama said there will be “six or seven changes” to the Cosafa squad for the Japan game.
Injuries and withdrawals mean SA have been left with 19 players in Namibia‚ 16 of them outfield players. They will need to bolster that number.
Apart from Khune‚ Mathoho and Jali being added‚ Da Gama said Highlands Park forward Mothobi Mvalo is being brought in. Phumlani Ntshangase will also return to the team if he has recovered from the gastric ulcers that saw him sent back from Cosafa to SA on Monday.
“There will be six to seven changes. We’re just waiting to see once Ntshangase gets his scope ‚ whether we will get a green light – that’s a bit touch and go‚” said Da Gama.
“The visa applications had to be in by Tuesday‚ so we’re putting some extra names there and have explained they’re part of the squad. And we’ve got to take from the overall list of 35 players earmarked for the U23s.” — Tiso Black Star Group Digital
Khune may yet be up against Neymar
Insiders told Tiso Blackstar Digital that Khune is one of three overage players who will be part of SA U23 coach Owen da Gama’s squad and, barring injury‚ the Chiefs goalkeeper should face the likes of Neymar at the Estádio Nacional in Brasília on August 4.
The Cosafa Cup‚ where the U23s’ defence has been brittle‚ has reinforced Da Gama’s view that the overage players for the Olympics need to reinforce SA’s spine.
“The rest of the boys can play. But just to get a better spine and good leadership in that area can really help us‚” said Da Gama.
Da Gama said there will be “six or seven changes” to the Cosafa squad for the Japan game.
Injuries and withdrawals mean SA have been left with 19 players in Namibia‚ 16 of them outfield players. They will need to bolster that number.
Apart from Khune‚ Mathoho and Jali being added‚ Da Gama said Highlands Park forward Mothobi Mvalo is being brought in. Phumlani Ntshangase will also return to the team if he has recovered from the gastric ulcers that saw him sent back from Cosafa to SA on Monday.
“There will be six to seven changes. We’re just waiting to see once Ntshangase gets his scope ‚ whether we will get a green light – that’s a bit touch and go‚” said Da Gama.
“The visa applications had to be in by Tuesday‚ so we’re putting some extra names there and have explained they’re part of the squad. And we’ve got to take from the overall list of 35 players earmarked for the U23s.” — Tiso Black Star Group Digital
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