The long road to the men’s football tournament at the Los Angeles Olympics has begun this week, just under two years before the Games themselves.
There are only two places for African teams, and they will be determined by the top two finishers at the U23 Africa Cup of Nations tournament, which will be held in Egypt next year.
Qualifying for the eight-team tournament began with first-round matches, but South Africa are among 14 countries who have a bye into the second round in November, where they will meet Madagascar, who were due to play Comoros in the opening round but have since received a bye after the Indian Ocean islanders withdrew.
South Africa are preparing, however, and will be taking on Algeria in two friendlies at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Durban on Wednesday and Saturday.
In November, the two ties against Madagascar are both scheduled for the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane because there is no adequate venue in Madagascar to host their home leg.
Other southern African countries have already embarked on their campaign, with Eswatini pulling off a shock 1-0 away win in Malawi in the first leg of their tie. They host the return at the Somhlolo National Stadium on Tuesday.
Angola host Namibia on Wednesday, while Zimbabwe are hosting Mauritius at the same time in Harare.
The winner of Angola and Namibia goes on to play Congo in November, while either Mauritius or Zimbabwe will be up against Guinea.
Botswana and the Seychelles will play both legs of their tie in Gaborone next week because there is no adequate stadium on the Indian Ocean island. The winner of that tie is up against Mali.
In the second round, Zambia are up against Burkina Faso, who received a first-round walkover when Sierra Leone pulled out of the competition.
The dates for next year’s tournament in Egypt have not yet been set. The men’s football tournament at the Olympics will be reduced from 16 teams to 12.
The adjustment applies only to the men’s competition, while the women’s football tournament will continue with 16 participating teams.
Under the new allocation system, the United States will receive an automatic place as the host nation. Europe will have three spots, while Asia, Africa, and South America will each receive two places. The Confederation of North, Central America, and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) and Oceania will each have one place.
The men’s tournament is played as an under-23 competition with three over-age players allowed.
Full Squad:
Goalkeepers: Fletcher Smythe-Lowe, Enrique Erasmus, Kgoleng Ratsani
Defenders: Cayden Fortune, Asekho Tiwani, Tylon Smith, Waylon Renecke, Neo Rapoo, Thato Sibiya, Luthando Vena, Oupa Motaung
Midfielders: Camren Danis, Gomolemo Kekana, Simphiwe Selepe, Mfundo Vilakazi, Kutlwano Letlhaku, Bohlale Ngwato, Emile Witbooi, Mpho Padime, Luke Baartman, Faiz Abrahams
Forwards: Siviwe Magidigidi, Quwan Plaatjies