EPHRAIM "Shakes" Mashaba has vowed to once more take the national Under-23 squad to the Olympic Games.
Mashaba was speaking after Sport and Recreation Minister Fikile Mbalula met the Morocco-bound team yesterday to wish them good luck in the African Under-23 Championships which serves as the final 2012 London Olympic qualifier.
The Under-23 team is among the eight teams participating in this inaugural tournament that gets under way on Sunday.
The South Africans open the campaign against Ivory Coast.
Mashaba is the only coach to have guided South Africa to the Olympics after qualifying for the 2000 Sydney Games, and now is targeting the London Games.
He is also the only coach to have won a medal at the African Youth Championships.
"We had three training sessions and everything is going according to plan. We are looking forward to the trip to Morocco," Mashaba said.
"I have no doubt that we have a solid team to make the country proud by not only qualifying for the Olympics, but also doing well in London."
He said Mulomowandau Mathoho and Thandani Ntshumayelo, who had picked up knocks, were in good shape.
"Our biggest challenge in Morocco will be Ivory Coast because junior teams in Africa tend to emulate the success of their big brothers.
"My other worry is Gabon because there is nobody talking about them. As for Egypt, I know what to expect from them after watching their match against Niger recently," he said.
Mbalula said: "We have a great team which I have no doubt will do us proud in Morocco. They have the potential to emulate Nigeria and Cameroon, the only African teams to win the Olympics."
Jayiya was grateful for the support, saying "there is no way we won't qualify for London".
High hopes for baby Bafana
EPHRAIM "Shakes" Mashaba has vowed to once more take the national Under-23 squad to the Olympic Games.
Mashaba was speaking after Sport and Recreation Minister Fikile Mbalula met the Morocco-bound team yesterday to wish them good luck in the African Under-23 Championships which serves as the final 2012 London Olympic qualifier.
The Under-23 team is among the eight teams participating in this inaugural tournament that gets under way on Sunday.
The South Africans open the campaign against Ivory Coast.
Mashaba is the only coach to have guided South Africa to the Olympics after qualifying for the 2000 Sydney Games, and now is targeting the London Games.
He is also the only coach to have won a medal at the African Youth Championships.
"We had three training sessions and everything is going according to plan. We are looking forward to the trip to Morocco," Mashaba said.
"I have no doubt that we have a solid team to make the country proud by not only qualifying for the Olympics, but also doing well in London."
He said Mulomowandau Mathoho and Thandani Ntshumayelo, who had picked up knocks, were in good shape.
"Our biggest challenge in Morocco will be Ivory Coast because junior teams in Africa tend to emulate the success of their big brothers.
"My other worry is Gabon because there is nobody talking about them. As for Egypt, I know what to expect from them after watching their match against Niger recently," he said.
Mbalula said: "We have a great team which I have no doubt will do us proud in Morocco. They have the potential to emulate Nigeria and Cameroon, the only African teams to win the Olympics."
Jayiya was grateful for the support, saying "there is no way we won't qualify for London".
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