The South Africa national under-23 football team is a youth football team, which represents South Africa and is controlled by the South African Football Association, the governing body for football in South Africa. The team's main objectives are to qualify and play at the All-Africa Games and Olympic Games. The team has played at five All-Africa Games and three Olympic tournaments.
History The South Africa national under‑23 team was established in 1994 following the country’s readmission to FIFA, with the aim of developing elite youth players and serving as the pathway to the senior national team. Sponsored by Sasol, the team was nicknamed Amaglug‑glug. Their early landmark achievement came at the 1999 All-Africa Games, where they secured a bronze medal, followed by qualification for the 2000 Sydney Olympics, marking South Africa’s debut in men’s Olympic football.
Throughout the 2010s and 2020s, Amaglug‑glug remained active in continental competition, recording third‑place finishes at the Africa U‑23 Cup of Nations in 2015 and 2019, the latter earned through a dramatic 6–5 penalty shootout win over Ghana after a 2–2 draw. The team also qualified for the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games, though both campaigns ended at the group stage. More recently, the side missed qualification for the 2023 U‑23 AFCON and 2024 Paris Olympics, prompting renewed focus on youth development as they entered qualifiers for the 2027 U‑23 AFCON, the pathway to the 2028 Olympic Games.
Player eligibility Players who are selected, will be 23 or younger in the following Olympic year. With the next Olympics being held in Los Angeles in 2028, players need to have been born on or after 1 January 2005. At the Olympic finals tournament, the team may be supplemented with 3 over-age players.FIFA.com
Results and fixtures
Legend
2026
Coaching staff + All-time South Africa under-23 coaching records Coach Reference Jean-Michel d'Avray (1994–1997) Ephraim Mashaba (1998–2002) Kenneth Kubheka (2002–2004) Styles Phumo (2004) Steve Komphela (2005) Pitso Mosimane / Serame Letsoaka (2005) Steve Komphela (2005–2007) David Notoane (2019–2021) Helman Mkhalele (2021–2022) David Notoane (2022-2023) Morena Ramoreboli (2024) Raymond Mdaka (2026–present)
Players Current squad
Notable players Players who have previously played for the under-23 team, and have since gone on to play for the senior team:
Emile Baron Brian Baloyi Matthew Booth Delron Buckley Bradley Carnell Rowen Fernández Stanton Fredericks Quinton Fortune David Kannemeyer Steve Lekoelea Jabu Mahlangu Benni McCarthy Fabian McCarthy Aaron Mokoena Toni Nhleko Siyabonga Nomvete Andile Jali Thulani Serero Eric Mathoho Patrick Mbuthu Anathi Ashley Sobekiwe Thiyekile Gulwa Mzun
Overage players in Olympic Games TournamentPlayer 1Player 2Player 3 Brian Baloyi (GK) Dumisa Ngobe (MF) did not select Itumeleng Khune (GK) Eric Mathoho (DF) did not select Ronwen Williams (GK)did not select
Competitive record Olympic Games Summer Olympics recordHosts/YearResultGPWD*LGSGA 1992Did not enter 1996Did not qualify 2000Group Stage310255 2004Did not qualify 2008 2012 2016Group Stage302112 2020Group Stage300338 2024Did not qualifyTotal3/99126915 Prior to the 1992 Olympic Games campaign, the Olympic football tournament was open to full senior national teams.
Africa U-23 Cup of Nations Africa U-23 Cup of Nations recordHosts/YearResultGPWD*LGSGA 2011Group stage302124 2015Third place521257 2019Third place513135 2023Did not qualifyTotal3/4133641016
African Games African Games recordHosts/YearResultGPWD*LGSGA 1999Third Place532082 2003Group Stage301226 2007Group Stage310214 2011Runners up522052 2015Did not qualifyTotal4/5166541614 *Draws include knockout matches decided by penalty shootout.
References
External links South Africa FA official website