SA U/23 Coach Hails ‘Mentality Monsters’ Against Algeria
South Africa U23 assistant coach Karabo Mogudi believes the talented group in the national team can reach greater heights after showing their character and resilience against Algeria in Thursday’s international friendly in Bloemfontein.
Algeria scored first and went into the break with a 1-0 lead, but South Africa responded strongly in the second half, scoring three goals to complete a comeback victory at the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium.
Mogudi was pleased with the overall performance but insisted that the team would continue to work on areas that need improvement despite the positive result.
“Obviously, I’ll say it was a very good game because we won 3-1. But winning 3-1 does not mean that we don’t look at the areas that we can improve on,” said Mogudi, who was on the bench as head coach Raymond Mdaka watched from the stands following the sad passing of his brother.
“Generally, I think the boys did well. They applied themselves properly in the first and second half.
“In the first half, we did not finish the chances that we created. In the second half, we changed a few things, and those boys did the business.
“We got the important goals from three substitutes, if I’m not mistaken. So, I can say we did very well with those substitutions.
“We are happy with these preparation games. They will prepare us for the next qualifier that is coming in the next international window, against Madagascar.
“I think this match proves that the talent that we have selected has done the job. But I think they can still do more. We’ll push them to do more.
“We know that they have a higher ceiling. They have the potential to maximise their output on the field of play.
“Holistically, I think it was a very good match. There were some challenges here and there, but we’ll analyse the game and see where we can improve.”
South Africa are using these international friendlies as part of their preparations for the 2027 U20 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, which will begin in November against Madagascar.
The campaign is also important because qualification for the 2027 U20 AFCON could open the door to the 2028 Olympic Games in the United States. Reaching the final of the U20 AFCON would see South Africa qualify for the Olympics.
Mogudi also praised the mentality of the players after they recovered from Algeria’s first-half advantage, describing the group as “mentality monsters”.
“I’d say 60 to 70% of these boys have been with us since the U20 programme. Some have also been in the U17 programme,” he added.
“If you look at these boys and you’ve watched the AFCON, you’ll understand where they are mentally and psychologically. They are a very, very strong bunch.
“I call them mentality monsters. They can come back from setbacks. They’ve been through setbacks together.
“If you see the mood in the dressing room before and after the game, and even at the hotel where we are camping and training, the mood is high.
“These boys know each other from the national teams, and they are a very, very resilient bunch.
“These boys have gone through setbacks. If you understand how they felt after the Egypt match at the AFCON, the first match they lost, and then they came back to win that AFCON.
“In terms of mentality, they are a very, very strong bunch.”
South Africa will face Algeria again on Sunday at the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein, with the encounter set to be their final match of the current FIFA international break.
The second meeting will give Mogudi and the technical team another opportunity to assess the squad before turning their attention to the upcoming Madagascar qualifier and their ambitions of reaching the 2027 U20 AFCON and potentially securing qualification for the 2028 Olympics.
