Mdaka warns South Africa U23 stars against individualism after Madagascar win

South Africa U23 head coach Raymond Mdaka has criticised his players for trying to solve problems individually after their 1-0 victory over Madagascar in the first leg of their second-round 2028 Olympic qualifying tie.

South Africa, who received a bye in the opening round, secured a narrow win at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday. However, Mdaka was unhappy with instances where players chose to take matters into their own hands rather than rely on their team-mates.

KV Kortrijk attacker Shandre Campbell was among those involved in that approach during the match. Mdaka said he would continue working with Campbell and the rest of the squad on making better decisions, just as he did previously with Mfundo Vilakazi.

“Very spot on because I don’t know, I can’t say that’s the nature or that’s how it’s supposed to be because most of the players who are talented, they would want to make things that are not there in a situation where it could be simple,” said Mdaka.

The coach pointed to one particular moment involving Campbell, when several South Africa players had moved into the penalty area.

“Remember the ball that Shandre got there everybody was showing up in the box. Something that we should have put in, then we score, then it ends up there. But we work on that. We do a lot of team buildings. We do a lot of presentation for them to understand the importance of playing as a team and getting a goal.

“You see, a goal is more important than many other of the things that might be happening in the field. We all play to get goals, so we do a lot on them. With Shandre, I remember since we were playing COSAFA, when we were playing AFCON, he was not there.”

Mdaka said the issue was mainly a matter of decision-making and mental development, rather than a lack of ability.

“But these are the kind of things that we always fight him to improve around because it’s a mental aspect. So the likes of Mfundo, look at Mfundo now; he has reduced a lot in terms of doing those kind of things.”

Mdaka also discussed Mpho Padime, who he believes brings a more constructive quality to his individual actions.

“[Mpho] Padime , yes, we are with him but what I like about him, he does it positively. Whatever he does as an action will take or give us the next move. So you wouldn’t stop them from doing that.

“But those that doesn’t become objective are the one that we encourage them for them to grow because it will mean for them to grow mentally in terms of their careers as footballers.”