Windhoek — Menzi Masuku believes he is part of a special South African Under-23 generation who are finding the right answers at the Cosafa Cup in Namibia ahead of their participation in the Olympics in August.
Pirates striker Masuku has twice come on as a half-time substitute – in the penalties quarterfinal win against Lesotho and 5-1 semifinal thrashing of 10-man Swaziland – playing a key role in Bafana Bafana reaching Saturday’s final against Botswana at Windhoek’s Sam Nujoma Stadium.
Masuku also scored a brace against Swaziland.
The two matches have posed some questions and also provided some answers for South Africa – who have brought an U-23 team to Windhoek as part of their preparations for the Rio Olympics in August.
Brondby midfielder Lebogang Phiri showed his potential against Swaziland with a classy performance at playmaker capped by a goal.
Judas Moseamedi recovered from a slow start against Lesotho with a much improved performance‚ and also a goal. He has perhaps earned a place in the U-23s’ friendlies on the path to Brazil‚ starting with Japan away immediately after Cosafa next week Wednesday.
“We’re the special group with these players that we have for the Under-23s. It’s unbelievable‚” Masuku said.
“We have so much potential. We just have to put our minds on a game and stay focused.
“And hopefully better things will come. Since Safa is always talking about its Vison 2022‚ I think we are going in the right direction.”
The SA technical team have held Masuku back because they have felt his match fitness to not be 100% having played sparsely for Pirates at the end of the past PSL season.
But the forward feels he is reaching a 90-minute level. Masuku certainly showed no signs of sluggishness turning two games Bafana’s way as a half-time super-sub.
The South Africans have experimented twice with their starting line-ups‚ and twice it has almost backfired before switches at the break changed their fortunes.
With Gift Motupa back from suspension – he was red-carded after scoring the equaliser as normal time against Lesotho ended 1-1 – it will be interesting to see how Bafana line up against a very solid Botswana.
“I think I’m getting there. The two goals against Swaziland picked up my confidence‚” Masuku said.
“As a striker who plays as a false No.10 it’s always nice to score and create goals.
“It’s part of my role. It’s good to contribute that way to a win for the team.
“I think this Cosafa Cup will play a huge role in our fitness‚ and to see where we are as a team. I think it has benefitted us.
“We came from a break and things started very slow for us. And now we are actually picking up. It helps us with that and also our confidence.”
Masuku scored two crucial goals for Young Bafana as they finished third at the Caf U-23 Africa Cup of Nations in December to reach the Olympic Games.
— TMG Digital
Current generation of SA under-23 players on the cusp of something special‚ says Masuku
Windhoek — Menzi Masuku believes he is part of a special South African Under-23 generation who are finding the right answers at the Cosafa Cup in Namibia ahead of their participation in the Olympics in August.
Pirates striker Masuku has twice come on as a half-time substitute – in the penalties quarterfinal win against Lesotho and 5-1 semifinal thrashing of 10-man Swaziland – playing a key role in Bafana Bafana reaching Saturday’s final against Botswana at Windhoek’s Sam Nujoma Stadium.
Masuku also scored a brace against Swaziland.
The two matches have posed some questions and also provided some answers for South Africa – who have brought an U-23 team to Windhoek as part of their preparations for the Rio Olympics in August.
Brondby midfielder Lebogang Phiri showed his potential against Swaziland with a classy performance at playmaker capped by a goal.
Judas Moseamedi recovered from a slow start against Lesotho with a much improved performance‚ and also a goal. He has perhaps earned a place in the U-23s’ friendlies on the path to Brazil‚ starting with Japan away immediately after Cosafa next week Wednesday.
“We’re the special group with these players that we have for the Under-23s. It’s unbelievable‚” Masuku said.
“We have so much potential. We just have to put our minds on a game and stay focused.
“And hopefully better things will come. Since Safa is always talking about its Vison 2022‚ I think we are going in the right direction.”
The SA technical team have held Masuku back because they have felt his match fitness to not be 100% having played sparsely for Pirates at the end of the past PSL season.
But the forward feels he is reaching a 90-minute level. Masuku certainly showed no signs of sluggishness turning two games Bafana’s way as a half-time super-sub.
The South Africans have experimented twice with their starting line-ups‚ and twice it has almost backfired before switches at the break changed their fortunes.
With Gift Motupa back from suspension – he was red-carded after scoring the equaliser as normal time against Lesotho ended 1-1 – it will be interesting to see how Bafana line up against a very solid Botswana.
“I think I’m getting there. The two goals against Swaziland picked up my confidence‚” Masuku said.
“As a striker who plays as a false No.10 it’s always nice to score and create goals.
“It’s part of my role. It’s good to contribute that way to a win for the team.
“I think this Cosafa Cup will play a huge role in our fitness‚ and to see where we are as a team. I think it has benefitted us.
“We came from a break and things started very slow for us. And now we are actually picking up. It helps us with that and also our confidence.”
Masuku scored two crucial goals for Young Bafana as they finished third at the Caf U-23 Africa Cup of Nations in December to reach the Olympic Games.
— TMG Digital
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