Duncan Crowie issues positive assessment of SA Under-17 players

SA Under-17 head coach Duncan Crowie has issued a positive assessment of his troops ahead of the 2023 junior AFCON tournament.

Duncan Crowie reckons that no player was “a bad player” during their camp with his 30-man preliminary squad. 

Amajimbos reported to camp on 9 April 2023, where Crowie and his technical team had to come up with the best squad for the CAF 2023 U17 AFCON.

On Tuesday, 18 April the coach announced his final 21-member squad that will participate in the upcoming AFCON due to take place in Algeria. 

The tournament will commence from 29 April to 19 May 2023. Amajimbos are drawn in Group B alongside Nigeria, Morocco and  Zambia. 

Crowie’s troops are expected to jet off to Algeria on Friday, 21 April 2023.

DUNCAN CROWIE’S assessment

Crowie noted that it was unfortunate that they had to select 21 players only. But everyone gave their all during the camp. 

“No one in the preparation camp was a bad player. Everyone was a talented player,” said Crowie when he made the squad announcement. 

“But unfortunately we had to select only 21. This is not my party as the coach, but this is the party of the 21 players that are in the squad. 

“It’s all about them and it is beyond the technical team. They are the ones who will represent the country.” 

DUCAN CROWIE HAPPY WITH THE PREPARATIONS 

The Amajimbos mentor went on to say that he is happy with the preparations and only hoping for the best. 

“So far I am happy with the preparations,” he stated. 

“I hope that we can continue in the same vein towards the tournament.”

Meanwhile, SAFA president Dr Danny Jordaan added that: “We believe that this team can go all the way to the World Cup and join the team on the wall here at SAFA House, which was the last team to qualify for the World Cup. 

“We want to wish the Technical team all the best. African U17 teams seem to dominate at the World Cup. 

“So we know that by looking at the picture we know it will be a challenge, but the team will be up to the task.”

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