THE national U-23 side will once again be deprived of the services of Thulani Serero and Andile Jali for their crucial All Africa Games qualifier against Zimbabwe at Sinaba Stadium in Daveyton tomorrow.
The two players are nursing injuries. But coach Ephraim "Shakes" Mashaba has already looked elsewhere for other players to complement the squad.
Mashaba has roped in enterprising Black Leopards winger Rodney Ramagalela and SuperSport United-bound midfielder Khunadi Nkoana of minnows Baroka FC.
Ramagalela and Nkoana are the only two new players in the squad that hammered Benin 5-1 in a 2012 London Olympics qualifier at Rand Stadium on Sunday.
Mashaba said they were looking to continue from where they left off against Benin.
"The players are still in the right frame of mind after winning against Benin. That impressive win has lifted their spirits and they are all motivated for the Zimbabwe match," Mashaba said.
"We want to ensure that we don't concede a goal at home because this could put us in trouble in the second leg in Zimbabwe. Scoring more goals at home will make our job easier in the second leg."
South Africa will qualify for the finals in Maputo, Mozambique, in October if they beat Zimbabwe over the two legs.
One of the experienced members of the team, Thandani Ntshumayelo, said: "We expect a tough match on Saturday because Zimbabwe has talented players. The Zimbabwean players have been doing well in the PSL in the past five to seven years, so we have an idea of what to expect on Saturday."
Team manager Levy Ramajoe said they wanted to win the match in honour of their late kit manager Linda Zwane, who died in a car accident on Tuesday.
Acting Safa chief executive Pinky Lehoko said: "This is a big game for our Under-23s and we urge people to go out there in big numbers to support the boys.
"The association would also like to send condolences to the family of Linda."
No Serero or Jali for U-23s
THE national U-23 side will once again be deprived of the services of Thulani Serero and Andile Jali for their crucial All Africa Games qualifier against Zimbabwe at Sinaba Stadium in Daveyton tomorrow.
The two players are nursing injuries. But coach Ephraim "Shakes" Mashaba has already looked elsewhere for other players to complement the squad.
Mashaba has roped in enterprising Black Leopards winger Rodney Ramagalela and SuperSport United-bound midfielder Khunadi Nkoana of minnows Baroka FC.
Ramagalela and Nkoana are the only two new players in the squad that hammered Benin 5-1 in a 2012 London Olympics qualifier at Rand Stadium on Sunday.
Mashaba said they were looking to continue from where they left off against Benin.
"The players are still in the right frame of mind after winning against Benin. That impressive win has lifted their spirits and they are all motivated for the Zimbabwe match," Mashaba said.
"We want to ensure that we don't concede a goal at home because this could put us in trouble in the second leg in Zimbabwe. Scoring more goals at home will make our job easier in the second leg."
South Africa will qualify for the finals in Maputo, Mozambique, in October if they beat Zimbabwe over the two legs.
One of the experienced members of the team, Thandani Ntshumayelo, said: "We expect a tough match on Saturday because Zimbabwe has talented players. The Zimbabwean players have been doing well in the PSL in the past five to seven years, so we have an idea of what to expect on Saturday."
Team manager Levy Ramajoe said they wanted to win the match in honour of their late kit manager Linda Zwane, who died in a car accident on Tuesday.
Acting Safa chief executive Pinky Lehoko said: "This is a big game for our Under-23s and we urge people to go out there in big numbers to support the boys.
"The association would also like to send condolences to the family of Linda."
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