Tokyo Olympics 2020: South Africa Soccer team Preview and squads


Tokyo Olympics 2020: South Africa Soccer team Preview and squads

SA Football Team

South Africa will be competing with the other participating nations in the Men’s Football event at the Tokyo Olympics. It is scheduled to commence on July 22nd and will be carried out till the 7th of August.

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16 teams will be battling against each other this summer for the ultimate prize, the coveted Olympic Gold medal. Four teams will are drawn into four different groups. After playing three group stage matches, the top two teams from each group will proceed an inch closer towards the trophy.

South Africa Team Preview

A desperate South Africa U-23 side will be facing the music at the competition after five of their main team members of the chosen squad pulled out due to medical reasons.

South Africa has had a poor run in the past few competitions in football. They’ve struggled to make an impact at the bigger level. They’ve never won a spot in the top 3, and that dream seems unlikely with two of their current players tested positive for Covid-19.

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South Africa’s Thabiso Monyane and Kamohelo Mahlatsi become the first athletes to test positive for coronavirus in Olympic Village.

They had most recently had a football experience at the Summer Olympics in Rio 2016, where both they finished fourth. South Africa would be looking forward to making a larger impact in the group stages. They’ll be playing with a rather inexperienced side at the competition, but it’ll be a tough time out on the field with football giants in their group.

South Africa Fixtures

The Bafana Bafana are in group A with Japan, Mexico, and France, and will face the hosts on July 22 at a fanless Tokyo Stadium.

Group FixturesVenueDate
vs JapanTokyo Stadium, Chofu22nd July
vs FranceSaitama Stadium, Saitama25th July
vs MexicoSapporo Dome, Sapporo28th July

South Africa Olympic Squad

Players during a training session

Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams, Mondli Mpoto, Sifiso Mlungwana

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Defenders: Katlego Mohamme, Luke Fleurs, Sibusiso Mabiliso, Abbubaker Mobara, Thabiso Monyane, Tericous Malope

Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena, Thabo Cele, Nkosingiphile Ngcobo, Sipho Mbule Goodman Mosele, Kamohelo Mahlatsi

Strikers: Fagrie Lakay, Luther Singh, Evidence Makgopa, Lyle Foster, Kobamelo Kodisang

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