Da Gama shows his hand

31 May 2016 - 09:53 By TSHEPANG MAILWANE

National Under-23 head coach Owen da Gama is hoping the inclusion of outgoing Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Reyaad Pieterse in the Bafana Bafana Cosafa Cup squad will push Jody February to work harder to keep his place as the No1 goalkeeper. A 20-man squad has been named and is made up of players 23 years or younger. The SA Football Association and Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba look to help the under-23 squad prepare for the Rio Olympic Games in August.Da Gama, who is considering including either Itumeleng Khune or Brighton Mhlongo as one of the over-age players at the Olympics, will help Mashaba at the regional competition, which takes place in neighbouring Namibia from June 11-25."It does not mean Reyaad will be one of the over-age players going to the Olympics, but this is an opportunity to give him international experience," he said."He is 24, so he is more or less in the same age group. He needs game time at international level because he is one of the guys we are considering."Da Gama added: "We want to build a strong team and then the over-age guys will complement the players we have. Our goalkeepers have not been getting game time [at club level] and it is a concern."Overseas-based players Lebo Mothiba of Lille in France and Lebogang Phiri of Brøndby IF in Denmark have been added to the squad, while Mpumalanga Black Aces striker Judas Moseamedi, who scored five goals in the league this season, also has a chance to prove himself."This competition (Cosafa Cup) will give us an opportunity to see who we can take." The team go into camp on June 7...

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