The road to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics has started in earnest for the South African U23 Men’s National Team.
Raymond Mdaka, Head Coach of the U20 Men’s National team, has called up 33 players to a selection camp as he starts preparing the side for the gruelling journey ahead.
The 2028 Summer Olympic Games will run in the USA from 14 July to 30 July 2028, with Africa’s preliminary qualification phase scheduled for September this year. The six-day selection camp started on Wednesday, and will conclude on Monday, 6 July 2026.
“We are basically in preparation for the Olympic Games qualifiers which will be staged in September, November and December on a home and away basis, so we decided to have this camp as we don’t have any other dates, with the next one window close to the qualifiers,” said Mdaka.
“We decided to call up most of the players who are playing in the PSL, some in the NFD and some in the ABC Motsepe League who are playing regularly in their teams.
Among the squad of 33, Mdaka called up familiar faces from the squad that went to the FIFA U20 Men’s World Cup in Qatar last year.
“A few of them are those that we have not seen at all, so we just trying to have this kind of a camp so that at least even if when we get called, we know we have got a team that can be able to represent. But what excites me is that about 60 percent of the players here were with us together at the U20 COSAFA. But the door is not shut on anyone, this is a selection camp and there are some players we have not called up, locally and overseas based,” added Mdaka.
The teams still standing after the September, November and December qualifiers will book their place at the U23 Africa Cup of Nations to be held next year, where the finalists will secure their tickets at the Olympic Games.
Africa has been allocated two slots at the Olympics Games in Football.
U23 Men’s National Team Selection Camp
NO. NAME SURNAME POSITION CLUB PROVINCE
1 Enrique ERASMUS GK Amazulu FC KZN
2 Takalani MAZHAMBA GK Kaizer Chiefs FC Gauteng
3 Kgoleng RATISANI GK Sekhukhune Utd Gauteng
4 Asekho TIWANI LCB Stellenbosch FC W. Cape
5 Moses MPHEKGOANE RCB Orlando Pirates Gauteng
6 Neo RAPOO LB Orlando Pirates Gauteng
7 Teboho LEKHATLA LB Casric Stars FC MP
8 Sfiso TIMBA RB Gomora United FC Gauteng
9 Surprise MANTHOSI RB Polokwane City FC Limpopo
10 Simphiwe SELEPE CM Orlando Pirates Gauteng
11 Camren DANSIN CM Orlando Pirates Gauteng
12 Wandile NGEMA LW Richards Bay FC KZN
13 Mfundo VILAKAZI AM Kaizer Chiefs FC Gauteng
14 Manelis MAZIBUKO AM Siwelele FC Gauteng
15 Vicky MKHAWANI CM Kaizer Chiefs MP
16 Langelihle PHILI LW Stellenbosch FC W. Cape
17 Thabang MAHLANGU CF Sekhukhune Utd NW
18 Bohlale NGWATO LW Siwelele FC Gauteng
19 Vincent SITHOLE RCB Mamelodi Sundowns Gauteng
20 Siphesihle NKOSI CM JBM/ViaSports Gauteng
21 Siphesihle JEZA RW Siwelele FC Gauteng
22 Siviwe NKWALI RB Stellenbosch FC W. Cape
23 Vuyolwethu ANDRIES CM Stellenbosch FC W. Cape
24 Khunganani SIGADI CM NWU-Mafikeng N. West
25 Sibabalwe VALELA RB C T Spurs FC W. Cape
26 Lucky MALATSI CF Polokwane city N. West
27 Mlondi MNCWANGO LCB TS Galaxy FC Gauteng
28 Naledi HLONGWANE CF Kaizer Chiefs FC Gauteng
29 Sanele SIMELANE LB Richards Bay FC KZN
30 Tauric GAMILDIEN CF Stellenbosch FC W. Cape
31 Ofentse KGOSANA LW Casric Stars FC MP
32 Christian DERBYSHIRE LCB Orlando Pirates Gauteng
33 Kamvalethu SHINTA CF Milford FC KZN.
SOURCED FROM SAFA WEBSITE.
