GOLDEN South African Under-23 soccer team striker Bongani Ndulula believes the current squad will surpass the success of the Class of 2000 in the Olympics.
"We are looking beyond qualifying for the 2012 London Olympics because our aim is to reach the knockout stages," Ndulula said yesterday.
The rising Orlando Pirates forward scored three goals to help South Africa eliminate Benin by beating them 6-4 on aggregate in the qualifiers.
Ndulula scored a brace in their 5-1 win in Johannesburg on Sunday.
He also scored South Africa's only goal when they went down 1-3 in the first leg in Benin two weeks ago.
South Africa have qualified for the last hurdle before the finals in London. They will qualify for the finals if they finish among the top three teams after the eight-nation tournament in December.
The team finishing fourth has another chance of qualifying but they will have to beat the Asian winners in a play-off.
"It will be difficult for us in the eight-nation tournament because top teams like Nigeria, Ivory Coast and Morocco have qualified," Ndulula said.
"But I must say we have a pretty good team to make South Africa proud by qualifying for the London Olympics.
"With players like Andile Jali and Thulani Serero, nobody will stop us from going to London.
"We don't want to go to London to add to the numbers but win a medal. Africa must reclaim its superiority in the Olympics.
"Bra Shakes (Mashaba, Under-23 coach) has been telling us that nothing is impossible and we just have to work hard as a team."
Nigeria qualified after walloping Tanzania 3-1 while Gabon eliminated Mali after beating them 1-0. Algeria bundled out Zambia 3-2.
Morocco are through after their hard-fought 3-2 win over Democratic Republic of Congo, while Ivory Coast easily beat Congo-Brazzaville 3-1 on aggregate.
Egypt pipped Tunisia 1-0 on aggregate in a North African derby. Senegal registered the same score over Tunisia.
U-23 side raises the Olympic bar
GOLDEN South African Under-23 soccer team striker Bongani Ndulula believes the current squad will surpass the success of the Class of 2000 in the Olympics.
"We are looking beyond qualifying for the 2012 London Olympics because our aim is to reach the knockout stages," Ndulula said yesterday.
The rising Orlando Pirates forward scored three goals to help South Africa eliminate Benin by beating them 6-4 on aggregate in the qualifiers.
Ndulula scored a brace in their 5-1 win in Johannesburg on Sunday.
He also scored South Africa's only goal when they went down 1-3 in the first leg in Benin two weeks ago.
South Africa have qualified for the last hurdle before the finals in London. They will qualify for the finals if they finish among the top three teams after the eight-nation tournament in December.
The team finishing fourth has another chance of qualifying but they will have to beat the Asian winners in a play-off.
"It will be difficult for us in the eight-nation tournament because top teams like Nigeria, Ivory Coast and Morocco have qualified," Ndulula said.
"But I must say we have a pretty good team to make South Africa proud by qualifying for the London Olympics.
"With players like Andile Jali and Thulani Serero, nobody will stop us from going to London.
"We don't want to go to London to add to the numbers but win a medal. Africa must reclaim its superiority in the Olympics.
"Bra Shakes (Mashaba, Under-23 coach) has been telling us that nothing is impossible and we just have to work hard as a team."
Nigeria qualified after walloping Tanzania 3-1 while Gabon eliminated Mali after beating them 1-0. Algeria bundled out Zambia 3-2.
Morocco are through after their hard-fought 3-2 win over Democratic Republic of Congo, while Ivory Coast easily beat Congo-Brazzaville 3-1 on aggregate.
Egypt pipped Tunisia 1-0 on aggregate in a North African derby. Senegal registered the same score over Tunisia.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos