Brazil trip valuable – U23 star

[caption id="attachment_138345" align="aligncenter" width="500"] STAND OFF: South African youngster Gift Motupa holds off John Takwara in an Olympic qualifying U23 match between South Africa and Zimbabwe at Harry Gwala Stadium, Pietermaritzburg, last year. Picture: GALLO IMAGES[/caption]

SOUTH Africa U23 star Gift Motupa is feeling more confident about the team’s chances at the 2016 Olympics after the weekend trip to Brazil. Brazil beat South Africa 3-1 in a friendly encounter at the Rei Pele Stadium in Maceio at the weekend.

However, Motupa, who plays for Orlando Pirates, believes there were positive outcomes from the defeat. “To be honest, that was a great experience and it was good for us as a team,” Motupa said yesterday.

“It was just great to meet the young players, because those guys are already international players. “If we happen to be in the same group as them or meet them along the way, we will know what to expect.

“There can be no better preparation than meeting the hosts, who have some of the best players around,” he said. “They were just outstanding and most of their players play in some of the best leagues around the world.

I believe we did well.” The 21-year-old said the South African U23 foreign-based players were adapting well to their set-up, which augured well for Owen Da Gama’s boys ahead of the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in August.

“Phumlani Ntshangase, Keagan Dolly . . . we are used to each other. We have to get used to playing with Lebohang Phiri, Lebo Mothiba and Kgosi Ntlhe – they are the guys we have to get used to, because we are not yet there with them.

“We still have a lot of time to get used to each other,” Motupa said. “I think with them in the team, it makes us stronger. The competition will be interesting and it will help the country.”

The soccer draw for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games will take place in Brazil on April 14.