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CALM BEFORE THE STORM . . . South Africa Under-23 team coach Owen Da Gama (right) and his men arrive at Harare International Airport yesterday ahead of tomorrow’s showdown against Zimbabwe at Rufaro

Eddie Chikamhi Sports Reporter
SOUTH Africa Under-23 coach Owen Da Gama has promised exciting football when they engage rivals Zimbabwe in the first leg of the Africa Under-23 Championships final round qualifier, first leg at Rufaro tomorrow. The South Africans arrived mid-day yesterday and had their first training session in the afternoon.

Da Gama said they were bracing for a competitive match after hearing of Zimbabwe’s exploits in this campaign and their qualification for the Africa Games at the expense of West Africa giants Cameroon.

Zimbabwe beat Swaziland to reach the third round of the qualifiers, while South Africa had a bye.

“We are looking forward to a very productive game, a game that will make sure that all the supporters of Zimbabwe appreciate the good football that will be played.

“We understand that the (Zimbabwe) Under-23 is a very good team. We saw them at COSAFA and there was good progression in that regard and obviously there are guys like Kuda Mahachi who plays in South Africa.

“So, I think it will be a very good game.

“Obviously, we want to keep our cards as close to our chest as possible. We cannot be talking about the approaches and tactics at this stage.

“We have our game plan and we are certainly going to try our best to complete that game plan,” said Da Gama.

The veteran coach told reporters that he was looking beyond qualifying for the finals of the Championships as he hopes to lead his side to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

South Africa need to rise and somehow atone for their failure to qualify for the Africa Games.

The winner of this two-legged tie will get the ticket to the CAF Under-23 Championships,to be held in Senegal between November 28 and December 12.

This will be the final qualifying tournament for the Olympic Games, with the top three sides at that eight-nation tournament making it to Rio De Janeiro.

Da Gama has had the luxury of a two-week camp to prepare his side for the encounter and has been able to rope in the likes of Shaun Bartlett and Deshi Bakhtawar to be part of his technical team.

The South African team includes the likes of Kwanda Mngonyama, Ayabulela Magqwaka, Keagan Dolly, Gift Motupa and Siphelele Ntshangase, who have all been selected in Bafana Bafana squads in recent times.

The South Africa Olympic team warmed up to this clash with an international friendly match against Egypt last month.

They then had three practice matches in the last week against Premiership sides Free State Stars and Amatuks before their departure.

Da Gama is not worried much about match fitness since their players are coming from off-season.

“I think it’s been fantastic. We played three friendlies against PSL teams. Fortunately enough, most of the PSL teams give their players active rest programme.

“So, during the off-season there is still some activity to make sure that they don’t lose their fitness. The boys are very sharp and I know they have done very well.”

Da Gama has faced similar problems that were faced by his opposite number Callisto Pasuwa during the early stages of the campaign when he could not secure all the players he wanted for the assignments.

The South Africa squad will be without 11 of the 23 players first called up due to injuries or withdrawals by clubs.

As a result the coach was forced to include six new players for the preparations.

He believes the changes should not disturb their game plan.

“It’s football, it happens. It could happen that a player is injured, it could happen that a player is not available, but it gives another player an opportunity and I think that’s what our Under-23s are about.

“It’s about trying obviously to go to the Olympics, but also preparing players by giving them an opportunity to play for Bafana Bafana. So, it really just opens up an opportunity for another player,” said Da Gama.

South Africa squad:

Goalkeepers: Ricardo Goss, Jordi February

Defenders: Kwanda Mngonyama, Tshepo Rikhotso, Thabo Makhele, Zitha Macheke, Gino Moeketsi, Tebogo Moerane, Siyabonga Zulu

Midfielders: Abbubakar Mobara, Ayabulela Konqoba, Motjeka Madisha, Keegan Dolly, Maphosa Modiba

Strikers: Simphiwe Kambule, Dumisani Zuma, Siphelele Nthsangase, Siphamandla Dlamini