South Africa U23 squad hailed as ‘golden generation’ destined for Bafana Bafana

South Africa U23 assistant coach Karabo Mogudi believes the current squad contains a “golden generation” of players who can become regulars for Bafana Bafana within the next four to five years.

Mogudi was speaking after the side began preparations for the 2028 Olympic Games qualifiers with a 3-1 comeback victory over Algeria at Dr Molemela Stadium on Thursday.

The match was the first of two friendlies against Algeria ahead of the qualifiers, which will take place during the next international break.

Much of the U23 squad is made up of players from the South Africa U20 team that recently won the COSAFA Cup. Mogudi credited the national team’s scouting operation for identifying and bringing together the strongest available players.

“Look, with our scouting, we’ve got, I don’t know if you want to say it’s consultants, but it’s people who are data scientists, who mine this data for us, who show us who the best performers in the league are,” Mogudi said after the win.

“When I mention players who have been previously with the national teams and the continuity, that already is a database on its own. Top talent that we have at our disposal.”

He said the scouting process had also helped uncover players who had not previously featured prominently at junior international level.

“But if you look at some of the shining lights that we’ve got, like a Nhlanhla Gasa, who probably did not play any junior football match until today, he comes in and shines. I can give credit to the guys who are doing the scouting work, the technical team also, watching a lot of games; you cannot watch enough, but we try.”

Depth gives South Africa confidence

Mogudi believes South Africa’s options extend well beyond the players selected for the current camp.

The group includes Asekho Tiwani, Neo Rapoo, Camren Dansin, Mfundo Vilakazi, Kutlwano Letlhaku, Mpho Padime, Luke Baartman and Faiz Abrahams, whom he identified as part of the country’s emerging “golden generation”.

“There is squad depth, and if I show you some of the guys who are not here, injured or could not come due to certain reasons, Emile Witbooi for instance, Cayden Fortune, Thato Sibiya, I can mention a lot, Lazola Maku, you’ll immediately think how much depth is still out there,” he said.

Mogudi added that the strength of the group could give Bafana Bafana a significant supply of high-level players in the coming years.

“So, I think as South Africa we’ve got a golden generation that will take us forward for many years. I see these guys in the next four, five years featuring mainly in Bafana Bafana,” he said.