The South African Football Association (SAFA) plays a central role in nurturing football talent from the grassroots level across all nine provinces of South Africa. SAFA’s grassroots system is designed to identify, develop, and elevate young players into the competitive tiers of professional football — ultimately feeding into the national teams and top leagues.
David Notoane (multiple spells, latest 2019–present)
Ephraim “Shakes” Mashaba (1998–2002)
Steve Komphela (2002–2004)
Owen da Gama (2015–2016)
Various interim and assistant coaches at different periods
Sasol (since 1994)
Note: The team earned the nickname Amaglug-glug in reference to Sasol’s fuel products.
All-Africa Games:
1999 (Johannesburg, South Africa) – 🥉 Third Place (Bronze Medal)
Olympic Games:
2000 (Sydney, Australia) – Qualified and competed
2016 (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) – Qualified and competed
2020 (Tokyo 2021 due to pandemic) – Qualified and competed
At the Olympic finals, the squad is allowed to add up to three over-age players.
1994: SAFA officially forms the Under-23 team to develop a pipeline for the senior national team.
1999: Achieved a historic third-place finish at the All-Africa Games hosted in South Africa.
2000: Qualified for the Sydney Olympics – marking a major milestone for South African youth football.
2016: Qualified again for the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
2021: Participated in the delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympics (played in 2021).
Many players who shone at the Under-23 level went on to become household names for Bafana Bafana:
Benni McCarthy – Later became South Africa’s all-time top goalscorer
Matthew Booth – Popular defender, represented South Africa at World Cups
Aaron Mokoena – Youngest-ever Bafana Bafana captain
Teko Modise – Midfield maestro
Itumeleng Khune – Legendary goalkeeper
Thulani Serero – Midfield playmaker
Percy Tau – Star forward, part of the 2016 Olympic squad
Ronwen Williams – Goalkeeper, later captained Bafana Bafana
Players must be born on or after 1 January of the year 23 years before the next Olympic Games.
Example: For the 2012 London Olympics, players needed to be born on or after 1 January 1989.
Qualify for the All-Africa Games and Olympic Games.
Serve as a development platform for future Bafana Bafana players.
Provide international exposure and experience to young South African talents.
We are dedicated to curating and preserving the rich legacy of the beautiful game in Mzansi. From legendary players to iconic matches, we celebrate the moments that shaped South African football.
©2024- All Right Reserved. Designed and Developed by Mut-Con
