SA's junior setup in healthy state, says Booth
Qualifying for the Rio Olympics could set the current South African Under-23s up for successful careers, said 2000 Sydney Olympics veteran Matthew Booth. The Under-23s take their first step on the path to Rio 2016 with the first leg of a difficult 2015 CAF Under-23 Championship qualifier against Zimbabwe in Harare on Sunday.Booth said competing at such tournaments could provide vital experience for young players."Junior national teams qualifying for continental tournaments is extremely important for their development."This team is under a bit of pressure, with the other youth teams having done well. Our youth teams seem to be in quite a healthy state," said Booth.His 2000 team included Benni McCarthy, Jabu Mahlangu, Siyabonga Nomvethe and Quinton Fortune. They beat Brazil 3-1 at the Olympics.SA Under-23 coach Owen da Gama has admitted his side's Zimbabwean counterparts are strong. Coach Callisto Pasuwa has named Sundowns winger Kudakwashe Mahachi and Dutch-based Marvelous Nakamba, an attacking midfielder at Vitesse Arnhem, in his squad...
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