The team leaves for Doha on Wednesday to face a Qatar Select team on Saturday, 10 January. They then depart for Russia’s St Petersburg for the Commonwealth tournament, which involves 12 teams.
“These tours could not have at a better time. They will give us an indication of where we are in terms of preparedness and the shape of the team, Notoane says.
“It is an exercise in which we want to build players characters and with so many games they will get that much-needed experience required when we go to Senegal for the CAF Youth tournament in March this year.”
The former Santos player said the Under-20s were going to Senegal to make a statement and show the outside world that this country has talent and wants to go places. It is also an opportunity to cultivate a new generation which will play in future World Cups.
Captain Motjeka Madisha said the entire team was looking forward to the tour, adding this was the beginning of a journey which might shape their lives for good.
“We have an opportunity to define our future and we need to grab such an opportunity with both hands,” he says.