Cape Town - The South African Under-23 team have received a huge boost ahead of Thursday’s Olympic Games opener against hosts Brazil after Itumeleng Khune and Erick Mathoho arrived in camp a few days earlier than expected.
The Kaizer Chiefs duo, who are the only over-aged players in the South African squad, were initially set to land in Brasilia on Wednesday, just a day before the big game against Neymar’s Brazil (9pm SA time kickoff).
That cast their participation in serious doubt as they would not have acclimatised to the tropical, humid conditions and may still have been feeling the effects of an approximately 18-hour journey from Johannesburg to the capital city via Sao Paulo.
But the SA Football Association announced on their website on Tuesday that the Bafana pair – who played for the Amakhosi in the Champion Cup against Orlando Pirates on Saturday – arrived in the SA Under-23 camp on Sunday night already in Brasilia.
Both Khune and Mathoho were in top form for Chiefs in what was a 2-0 victory for the “Phefeni Glamour Boys”, with goalkeeper Khune making a few excellent saves and central defender Mathoho enjoying a superb outing, scoring the opener and clearing a Pirates shot off the line.
And while their inclusion in the squad by coach Owen da Gama has been criticised in some quarters, Khune said that he is willing to play any role within the side, even if it means he doesn’t start against Brazil at the Mané Garrincha Stadium.
“It’s good to be back in the squad again after spending some time with them back home and having to remain behind due to club commitments. Now the focus is fully on the task ahead,” the 29-year-old shot-stopper said.
“As I have been saying all along, I am really honoured to part of this team. I hope my presence influences the team positively, on or off the field, whether I play or not.
“I am also hopeful that the experience we bring with Tower (Mathoho) will assist the team greatly and help guide us to the next round and beyond. We have a very strong team and I believe together we can achieve great things.”
The big call that Da Gama has to make in goal is whether Khune or Jody February should don the No 1 jersey. February was the star during the qualifying tournament in Senegal, saving four penalties in the decider against the host nation, but Khune’s experience (75 Bafana caps) and ability to command the box and organise the defence may be valuable for a young backline that conceded the most goals in Senegal.
Similarly, Mathoho’s international performances for Bafana (26 caps) and rugged physical presence may be the ideal foil for Ajax Cape Town centre back Rivaldo Coetzee, who is also Mathoho’s partner in the senior national team.
Whichever combination Da Gama opts for on Thursday will have to put in a whole-hearted effort if they are to keep Neymar and Co at bay.
“Many players have a glittering career but never get to taste the Olympics, so being part of this team is something I will cherish for as long as I live,” the 26-year-old Mathoho said. “While Khune and I bring some experience, I believe we will also learn a lot from this group, which will help us grow as players.
“This is the biggest sporting spectacle in the world and I also want to write my name in the history books, so I will help contribute towards the success of the team in any way I can.”