The South African Under-23 team will finally have their most influential player, Keagan Dolly, in camp on Thursday for the Rio Olympics.
Star midfielder Dolly is also expected to be named as captain of the side after taking the leadership reins in the last few Olympic qualifiers and in subsequent matches.
The 23-year-old left-footer turned out for Mamelodi Sundowns on Wednesday night in their African Champions League Group B game against Zamalek in Atteridgeville, which they won 1-0 through an own goal. That result sees the Brazilians through to the semi-finals as they top the group on nine points, with one group match still to go.
The SA Football Association announced on their website that Dolly is set to join the Under-23 squad later on Thursday in Brasilia, where coach Owen da Gama’s team are based ahead of their Olympic opener against hosts Brazil next week Thursday at the Mane Garrincha Stadium (9pm SA time).
French-based striker Lebogang Mothiba was also expected in camp on Thursday, but Kaizer Chiefs duo Itumeleng Khune and Erick Mathoho will only jet off to Brazil next week as they will feature in the Champion Cup against Orlando Pirates in Johannesburg on Saturday.
Da Gama will hope that these four players are 100 percent fit and ready for action next week as five others are currently nursing a range of niggles.
Ajax Cape Town striker Tashreeq Morris and Highlands Park midfielder Mothobi Mvala missed training on Wednesday due to “light hamstring injuries”, while Thabiso Kutumela and Phumlani Ntshangase (both hamstring) and Kwanda Mngonyama (ankle) only did a few drills before sitting out.
But Da Gama feels that it is just precautionary at the moment, and he was impressed by SA Under-20 captain Tercious Malepe, who arrived in camp on Tuesday from Amajita duty, along with coach Thabo Senong, who is an assistant to Da Gama.
“We were advised by the medical team to sit Morris and Mvala out of the training session just to make sure that they don’t aggravate their injuries. We still have a few more days to ensure that all the players are hundred percent fit before our first game,” Da Gama said.
“Kutumela, Ntshangase and Mngonyama responded very well to training, but we had to rest them after a while as they are still recuperating. I was very impressed with Tercious Malepe, who arrived on Tuesday night but was able to participate in the whole session without any concerns.”
Following the Brazil match, South Africa will also face Denmark on Sunday, August 7 (2am SA time on Monday, August 8) and Iraq on Wednesday, August 10 (3am SA time on Thursday, August 11).
@ashfakmohamed - Independent Media