Mdaka hopes the Algeria fixtures will give indication of the way forward – South African Football Association

30 September 2026 – South African U23 Men’s National team coach Raymond Mdaka is hoping that the two friendly matches against Algeria will give an indication of the way forward for his charges as they embark on the road to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

The newly assembled squad will play their first match on Thursday (1 October 2026) when they face Algeria in the first fixture at the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein. Kickoff is at 15h00.

Africa has been allocated two spots at the global competition, but to get through to the United States of America, the countries will have to face off at the U23 Africa Cup of Nations tournament scheduled for Egypt in 2027 – only the top two will book their tickets to LA. Earlier this year Mdaka held his first training camp with a bloated squad of U23 players, which he has now trimmed down and will be playing their first match.

“The long road to LA started with our training camp earlier this year and this match against Algeria will be the first time that the U23s run out in a long time. We believe we have selected a team strong enough to withstand the rigours of this competition as it is going to be a very long road to 2028. These two games will give us an indication of what we need going forward,” said Mdaka.

“This match presents an opportunity to those who are here to show what they can do at this level as you know that the bulk of the team is from the U20 squad. We have done some work over the last few days, and it is slowly coming together, which makes this match all the more important to see where we are going.”

South Africa has been forced to make some changes to the initial squad called up for this camp, with Emile Witbooi, Cayden Fortune, Waylon Renecke, Thato Sibiya and Gomolemo Kekana all out due to an assortment of reasons.

Mdaka has called up Hope FC’s Moses Mphekgoane as well as Nhlanhla Gasa from Lamontville Golden Arrows FC to beef up the squad and bring the number to 23.

The Madagascar U23 team has been handed a free passage into the next round after their counterparts from Comoros withdrew from the competition.

South Africa will face Madagascar in the two-legged Olympic qualifiers in November.

Updated SA U23 Men’s National Team

GOALKEEPERS:

Fletcher Smythe-Lowe
(Estoril Praia SAD FC, Portugal)

Enrique Erasmus
(Amazulu FC)

Kgoleng Ratisani
(Orlando Pirates FC)

DEFENDERS:

Asekho Tiwani
(Kruger United FC)

Tylon Smith
(NE Revolution, USA)

Neo Rapoo
(Orlando Pirates FC)

Siviwe Nkwali
(Stellenbosch FC)

Luthando Vena
(Stellenbosch FC)

Oupa Motaung
(Orlando Pirates)

Moses Mphekgoane
(Hope FC)

MIDFIELDERS:

Camren Dansin
(Orlando Pirates FC)

Dhakier Lee
(Cape Town City FC)

Gabriel Amato
(Cape Town City FC)

Simphiwe Selepe
(Orlando Pirates FC)

Mfundo Vilakazi
(Kaizer Chiefs FC)

Kutlwano Letlhaku
(Mamelodi Sundowns FC)

Bohlale Ngwato
(Orlando Pirates FC)

Mpho Phadime
(Orlando Pirates FC)

Luke Baartman
(Kaizer Chiefs FC)

Faiz Abrahams
(Kaizer Chiefs FC)

Nhlanhla GASA
(Lamontville Golden Arrows)

FORWARDS:

Siviwe Magidigidi
(Beerschot VA FC, Belgium)

Quwan Plaatjies
(Stellenbosch FC)

South African Football: Bidvest Wits was known for its strong youth development programs before its closure in 2020.