SA u.23 men’s football team out of Olympics

The South Africa u.23 men’s football team was eliminated from the Olympics on Thursday morning, after being held to a 1-1 draw by Iraq.

Amaglug-glug needed a win to get to the next round after suffering a shock 1-0 defeat to Denmark in the previous match.

South Africa opened the scoring in the sixth minute through Gift Modupa, who pounced on a loose ball after the Iraq defence failed to clear their lines.

The goal did not dampen the Iraqis’ spirits and they got their equaliser eight minutes later.

Both sides tried to score the winning goal without success which eliminated both teams from the Olympic Games.

This is the second time the Amaglug-glug had been eliminated in the group stage of the Games.

In the 2000 Sydney Olympics, the team which then consisted of Benni McCarthy, Quinton Fortune and Jabu Pule, crashed out at the same stage despite defeating Brazil 3-1 in their opening match.

The current side dominated their previous two matches but failed to convert their chances.

Last Wednesday, Banyana Banyana, who had already been eliminated following two defeats, drew 0-0 with Brazil in their last game.

On Saturday, Akani Simbine, Wayde van Niekerk and Anaso Jobodwana will be in action in the athletics 100 metres, 200 metres and 400 metres sprints respectively.

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