"The team that is competing in this tournament (Sasol Eight Nations) is not our regular team. This is the team that we are working around taking to the All Africa Games. We will use these matches to give aspiring youngsters a chance to state a claim in their quest to become part of the team that will compete in the Beijing qualifiers.
"You have to understand that a lot of factors have influenced our decision to assemble this team. The last time we went to Ethiopia we came back with a lot of injuries and so it is fitting to give players a rest while bringing in others. After all, there is abundance of talent in the country so we have to spread our wings wider in the selection process when such situations arise," says Komphela.
Regulars like Tshepo Masilela, James Madidilane, Jeffrey Ntuka, Innocent Mdledle, Lerato Chabangu, Clifford Ngobeni, Masilo Modubi, Lebogang Mokoena, Thapelo Tshilo, Daine Klate, Richard Rantjie, Lance Davids, Bernard Parker and Bryce Moon have been sidelined in the event.
The technical department's decision has opened up chances for upcoming youngsters like Daylon Claasen from Ajax Cape Town who is still an Under-17 player along Kaizer Chiefs development players, Sandile Zuke and Sibusiso Msomi.
Amaglug-glug have coincidently been thrown into the same group as Cameroon whom they will also meet in the group stages of the All Africa Games finals. "As usual it is going to be tough in our group because Cameroon is a powerhouse. Botswana are forever improving and are playing in the Olympic qualifiers group stages while China are serious in that they will host the Olympics next year, so they are building a strong team," says Barney Kujane, the Under-23 team manager.
Amaglug-glug begin their campaign with a date against China at Johannesburg Stadium next Wednesday, then meet Cameroon at Meadowlands on the following Friday before rounding off the group matches against Botswana at Eldorado Park on Sunday, July 1.
Meanwhile, South African Football Association (SAFA) president Molefi Oliphant says he is excited that the fruits of the SASOL investment in the game continue to bear fruits with a host of former Amaglug-glug players moving abroad. "The fruits of the Under-23 team are there for all of us to see as the bulk of players in the senior national team have graduated through the ranks.
The partnership between SAFA and Sasol has been an inspiration since it began in 1994 and I am glad that this year's Eight-Nations Cup can be used to prepare the team for the AAG and the Olympics which will also be played in the same format," says Oliphant.
