Baxter to develop under-20 team for Cosafa Cup

15 June 2017 - 09:41 By Marc Strydom
subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now
Royal Bafokeng Stadium
Royal Bafokeng Stadium
Image: Supplied

South Africa will take a team based on the side that took part in the Fifa Under-20 World Cup to the Cosafa Cup in Rustenburg later this month.

Bafana coach Stuart Baxter said that South Africa would name a squad with an emphasis on development for the June 25 to July 9 tournament for Southern African nations.

He said the core of the team would comprise South Africa's under-20s, who exited in the first round of the Under-20 World Cup in South Korea last month, losing to Japan and Italy, and drawing with Uruguay.

"Cosafa is going to be development. It's going to be building on that under-20 team," Baxter said.

"I can't say that I don't care if we don't get good results. But I do care that we see improvement and progress and development.

"I would rather see that and lose 1-0 than win 2-0 with two offside goals and play a team of 35-year-olds, " he said.

Baxter won his first match of his second tenure as Bafana coach 2-0 against Nigeria in Uyo in Saturday's 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

South Africa then lost 2-1 in Tuesday night's friendly against Zambia at Moruleng Stadium.

Baxter, who will see out his contract with Supersport United for the remainder of this season, has a Nedbank Cup final against Orlando Pirates on June 24 to oversee.

Bafana, last year's Cosafa champions, have a buy into the quarterfinals to meet the winners of Group A at Royal Bafokeng Stadium on July 2. 

subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now