South Africa’s Under-23 side secured a narrow 1-0 victory against Madagascar in the first leg of their 2028 Olympic Games qualifying tie at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The teams will meet again at the same venue on Tuesday, with coach Raymond Mdaka aiming to guide his side into the next round after the second leg of this second-round contest.
Mdaka selected a strong starting XI, including several players with PSL experience. Asekho Tiwani, Neo Rapoo, Mfundo Vilakazi and Kutlwano Letlhaku were all named in the line-up.
The South African coach also included three players based overseas: Estoril Praia goalkeeper Fletcher Smythe-Lowe of Portugal, Tylon Smith of New England Revolution FC in the United States and Shandre Campbell of KV Kortrijk in Belgium.
Despite taking the lead into Tuesday’s return match, South Africa will be frustrated that they failed to make more of the opportunities they created.
One of their clearest chances came from a Rapoo corner, when Siviwe Nkwali’s header was cleared off the line by a Madagascar defender.
South Africa maintained the pressure and eventually broke the deadlock in the 74th minute. Stellenbosch FC striker Quwan Plaatjies rose highest inside the penalty area to head the ball past Madagascar goalkeeper Christopher Cladec.
Plaatjies had come on for Letlhaku on the hour mark and made an immediate impact, converting Rapoo’s corner as South Africa finally found a way through.
The hosts could have established a more commanding advantage, but Cladec kept Madagascar in the tie with a series of impressive saves. Shandre Campbell, Vilakazi and Thabang Mahlangu were all denied by the goalkeeper.
