Castle Lager announces 23-man squad
JOBURG - The final 23-men squad of the Castle Lager Football Academy has been announced.
The final 23-man squad of the Castle Lager Football Academy has been announced.
This follows two days of intense training at the Balfour Alexandra Football Club grounds. Castle Lager Football Academy coaches, Neil Tovey and Phil Masinga; former Bafana Bafana legend, Helman Mkhalele; and Calvin Petersen and Thomas Nare selected the 23 players who will continue in the academy camp until 2 February.
They were trimmed from the 45 players who were selected after months of scouting in the SAB regional league and varsity football. Before naming the final 23, Tovey had some encouraging words to say to the talented youngsters who hope to one day play in the premier league.
“We saw a lot of talent in these two days. We had a tough deliberation with the scouts on deciding which players should stay and which ones should go home. Some players stood out more than others, but at the end we had to make the hard decision. Those who did not make the final 23, your football career does not end here; you must continue working hard,” Tovey said.
The 23 players have a tough two weeks ahead of them as they will be taken through intense training methods and playing friendly matches against Absa Premiership sides Bidvest Wits, SuperSport United, Mpumalanga Black Aces, Orlando Pirates and National First Division side, Highlands Park.
“For the players, this is an opportunity for them to work even harder with the hope of being noticed by premiership sides and those teams in the National First Division. They have past the first hurdle and are now ready for a tough two weeks,” Tovey said.
The initiative aims to give talented amateur players aged between 18 and 21 exposure to the professional football set-up and an opportunity to be scouted and the hope of one day representing South Africa in Bafana Bafana.
In the final squad are: (Goal Keepers) Tshepo Sekgotla from Limpopo; Martin Mthimkhulu from KwaZulu-Natal and Mpho Ndlovu from Gauteng. The defenders include Tshepo Mathobela, Pheko Rankonko and Lebogang Serache from the North West; Thabang Mothogwane and Sifiso Nkosi from Gauteng; Sello Mokhele from the Free State; Zinzan Coetzee from the Northern Cape; and Happy Mashau from Mpumalanga, The midfielders include Christoffer Balie from the Northern Cape; Lonwabo Ngangalaza and Sheniel Benn from the Eastern Cape; Tshepo Mokhabi from the Free State; Lloyed Mbumbe and Sabelo Mtshali from KwaZulu-Natal; Bafana Dlamini from Mpumalanga and Malesela Monama from Limpopo. The strikers include Dawny Makgatho and Candy Khaukanani from Limpopo; Dylan O’Brain from the Free State and Bongumusa Mabuza from Mpumalanga.
