South African under-23 in determined mood

The South African under-23 national football squad are determined to beat Ghana during their Athens Olympic Games qualifier at HM Pitje Stadium in Mamelodi on Saturday.

"Ghana beat us 1-0 during the first round in Accra, it's pay back time," said Finland-based South African golden striker Ryan Botha in Mamelodi near Pretoria on Thursday.

"This is our last chance to revive our hopes of qualifying for the Olympic Games in Athens. Our preparations are going well and we are ready to beat Ghana."

Botha is one of the three overseas-based players selected by coach Kenneth Kubheka for the match. The other two players are Thando Mngomeni (Sweden) and Giovanni Rector (Belgium).

The South Africans, who are lying at the bottom of Group D stream will wrap-up their preparations in Mamelodi on Friday.

Ghana, who arrived in South Africa on Thursday morning and were taken to Pretoria by the local football federation officials, are perched at the top of the log with seven points.

The South African football officials are crossing their fingers for midfielder Gert van Schalkwyk (ankle) and left-back Tsietsi Mahoa (groin) to recover from the injuries.

The duo were rested at training on Thursday.