The South Africa Football Association (Safa) have confirmed the appointment of Mamelodi Sundowns reserve team coach David Notoane as the man entrusted to take the South Africa U23 team to the Olympic games.
The South Africa junior team have been without a coach ever since the departure of Owen Da Gama, who is now at the helm of Highlands Park in the Premier Soccer League (PSL).
Nonetheless, Safa’s chair of the Technical Committee Jack Maluleke, confirmed Notoane’s appointment and is hopeful that the Sundowns coach can take the U23’s to their second successive Olympic games.
“We have full confidence in David and we are very hopeful that with him at the helm, we will qualify for our successive Olympic tournament following the show in Rio in 2016,” he said in a statement issued by South African football’s governing body on their website.
Meanwhile, Notoane who has done a sterling job as coach of Sundowns’ MultiChoice Diski Challenge side, unearthing several gems, is looking forward to his latest task.
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“I am very excited about this project and I am looking forward to doing justice to the faith shown in me by doing my utmost best to qualify for Tokyo 2020 Olympics,” he said.
“I would want to take this opportunity to thank the Association, especially President Danny Jordaan and head of the Technical Committee, Mr Maluleke for the faith shown in me and not forgetting my club Mamelodi Sundowns who allowed me to take up this latest challenge,” Notoane concluded.
Notoane is no stranger to international football having previously worked with the U20 team, Amajita.
However, his first port of call will come in a first round match against Angola on 22 March and again on March 26 for the return leg.
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