ROAD TO LA 2028: Pirates’ young stars dominate latest SA U23 squad
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South Africa’s U23 squad ahead of their match against Algeria. Photo: Zamani Makautsi/Gallo Images
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ROAD TO LA 2028: Pirates’ young stars dominate latest SA U23 squad
Oct 30, 2026 – 02:37 pm
By KO Staff Reporter
Orlando Pirates’ young stars dominate the latest selection in head coach Raymond Mdaka’s South Africa Under-23 squad for back-to-back Olympic Games qualifiers against Madagascar.
South Africa Under-23 head coach Raymond Mdaka has finalised his 24-man squad for the upcoming crucial back-to-back 2028 LA Olympic Games qualifiers against Madagascar.
These high-stakes double-header fixtures serve as a pathway to the 2027 U23 Africa Cup of Nations, where the top teams will ultimately book their spots for the Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
South African U23 Men’s National Team Head Coach Raymond Mdaka has announced the final squad that will face Madagascar in back to back Olympic Games qualifiers next month.South Africa and the Islanders face off on Saturday 14 November with the second leg on Tuesday, 17 November… pic.twitter.com/3WJgCqfRmS
Amaglug-glug will be looking for a vast improvement on their last international outing, where they suffered a disappointing elimination from the Olympic race during the previous qualification cycle, making this upcoming series a massive must-win for Mdaka’s troops.
Orlando Pirates players heavily dominate the selections for this camp, closely followed by Mamelodi Sundowns’ youthful contingent, while rivals Kaizer Chiefs have only one representative in the final setup after midfielder Mfundo Vilakazi made the cut.
Notably, dynamic star Langelihle Phili, who was initially included in the 37-man preliminary squad announced earlier this month, has missed out on the final roster as the technical team trimmed down their options for the decisive encounters.
READ: Chiefs marquee signing, Phili available for Soweto Derby?
The crucial first-leg encounter against the Islanders is scheduled for Saturday, 14 November, with Madagascar legally playing as the designated home side for this opening match. Both fixtures of the double-header are set to take place on at the Lucas Moripe Stadium, with the first leg kicking off at 15h00.
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