SOUTH Africa's Under-23 soccer side will have to play more friendlies against high-profile opponents if they want to qualify for and make their mark at the 2012 London Olympics.
Speaking after their four-day tour of Iran, captain Ramahlwe Mphahlele said the London Games were their ultimate goal.
"For us to make the country proud in London, we will need to be well prepared. This means that we have to play against opponents worth their salt in the preparatory matches," Mphahlele said yesterday.
The talented Moroka Swallows defender said they were determined to emulate the Class of 2000 who qualified for the Sydney Olympics.
The 2000 squad, which was coached by current mentor Ephraim "Shakes" Mashaba, is the only national soccer side to qualify for the Olympics.
The current squad won its sixth successive match after beating Iran 2-0 in Tehran on Monday, thanks to goals from Thulani Serero and Bongani Ndulula.
Mphahlele said: "Our players in the 2000 squad were successful because they played more than 160 friendlies against strong opponents. Playing more matches helped them to gel. That also helped them to identify areas that needed to be tightened up for the tournament. They were strong in all positions. We must also play against the likes of Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Egypt, Brazil and Argentina," he said.
On the match in Tehran, Mashaba said: "The boys played with purpose and followed their instructions to the letter. They took the game to the opponents.
"It was a good exercise for the boys and I also appreciate the fact that their psychological ability was really put to the test."
Safa has promised to organise a series of friendlies for the Under-23s.
Mphahlele calls for more friendlies
SOUTH Africa's Under-23 soccer side will have to play more friendlies against high-profile opponents if they want to qualify for and make their mark at the 2012 London Olympics.
Speaking after their four-day tour of Iran, captain Ramahlwe Mphahlele said the London Games were their ultimate goal.
"For us to make the country proud in London, we will need to be well prepared. This means that we have to play against opponents worth their salt in the preparatory matches," Mphahlele said yesterday.
The talented Moroka Swallows defender said they were determined to emulate the Class of 2000 who qualified for the Sydney Olympics.
The 2000 squad, which was coached by current mentor Ephraim "Shakes" Mashaba, is the only national soccer side to qualify for the Olympics.
The current squad won its sixth successive match after beating Iran 2-0 in Tehran on Monday, thanks to goals from Thulani Serero and Bongani Ndulula.
Mphahlele said: "Our players in the 2000 squad were successful because they played more than 160 friendlies against strong opponents. Playing more matches helped them to gel. That also helped them to identify areas that needed to be tightened up for the tournament. They were strong in all positions. We must also play against the likes of Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Egypt, Brazil and Argentina," he said.
On the match in Tehran, Mashaba said: "The boys played with purpose and followed their instructions to the letter. They took the game to the opponents.
"It was a good exercise for the boys and I also appreciate the fact that their psychological ability was really put to the test."
Safa has promised to organise a series of friendlies for the Under-23s.
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