Avatar photo

By Tshepo Ntsoelengoe

Football Journalist


Dlangalala hopes for more international tournaments after flying out to Poland

'We are very pleased and we are looking forward to having a very good experience,' said Dlangalala.


Zipho Dlangalala believes having young players play tournaments outside the country can be beneficial for their future.

Dkangalala was speaking before flying out to play a tournament as coach of the South African Under-16 team in Poland.

ALSO READ: Broos refuses to speak after Liberia leave Bafana red-faced

Dlangalala, who has a vast of experience in coaching, having coached the likes of Orlando Pirates reserves, TS Galaxy, Chippa United, Mamelodi Sundowns to mention a few, has been entrusted with taking charge of the South African junior team and he says he is excited about the tournament and says it is something that should be happening often for the youngsters.

Dlangalala’s charges will play against the likes of hosts Poland, Northern Ireland and Luxembourg with the competition running from 27 March until 1 April.

“We are very pleased and we are looking forward to having a very good experience, especially for this young group. It may seem like nothing today but with time every international match adds value and improves the players,” Dlangalala was quoted on the Safa website.

“If South Africa had the resources and the ability, this should be happening every three or four months for our young players to play, not necessarily overseas, but to play outside the country and prepare themselves for the future.

The South Africans will play their first game against Northern Ireland on the 27th, before taking on the hosts two days later and they will play their final game of the competition against Luxembourg on the first day of April.

“The future is for them. So it will always be a good experience for them to play against people that they do not usually see or play against. So yes, it will be a very important experience for this young group of players and one hopes that this particular trip will set the tone and open the doors for the future and for the other players.”

ALSO READ: Mbule ‘feeling bad’ after ill-discipline allegations at Sundowns

Dlangalala added that they are happy to be part of the tournament and they are hoping to make the country proud.

“Everything has a start and I’m very pleased that we are making that start now. We are looking forward to the trip and hoping everything goes well,” he concluded.

Access premium news and stories

Access to the top content, vouchers and other member only benefits