Tokyo 2021: positive South Africans despite a loss to Japan and the Covid
South African footballers after their 1-0 loss to Japan in the first round of the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games. AP - Shuji Kajiyama
Text by: David Kalfa Follow
3 min
The South African men's football team lost 1-0 to that of Japan on July 22, 2021 in Tokyo, for their first match at the Olympics.
Olympics that the South Africans could not prepare calmly, following cases of Covid-19 in their delegation.
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From our special correspondent in Tokyo,
In recent days, the South African delegation to the Tokyo 2021 Olympics has not stood out as it had hoped.
The coach of his rugby sevens team has tested positive for Covid-19, as have two players (Thabiso Monyane and Kamohelo Mahlatsi) and a member of the staff of the men's football team (the Amaglug-glug).
Results?
A wind of concern in Japan before the opening ceremony of these Olympics, and Amaglug-glug placed in quarantine.
No wonder in these conditions that the South African selection lost 1-0 against its Japanese counterpart on July 22 in Group A of the Olympic tournament.
“
We can't use that as an excuse
,” said his captain, defender Repo Malepe.
As you can see, the guys gave their all on the pitch against Japan, despite the circumstances.
Me, I think that we were efficient, despite everything
”.
A feeling shared by midfielder Thabo Cele: “
We fought well.
It was not an easy game.
Japan have a good team.
We have tried everything.
In any case, I see positive points in this meeting.
"
"This situation is anything but natural"
South African coach David Notoane also relativizes this setback which is however detrimental for the rest of the competition. “
In view of the circumstances, I am proud of my players
,” he says.
They worked hard. I said it would be a fight against the Japanese and it was a hell of a fight against a very well prepared team
”.
For the next meeting, against a team from
France which lost 4-1 against Mexico
, David Notoane hopes that the climate around his team will be less heavy.
“
This situation is really anything but natural
, he regrets.
You are in your accommodation all the time.
You can only eat, sleep and exercise.
You are isolated.
But today we have seen sport with contacts.
In addition, we are tested daily.
So I hope the players will now have the opportunity to go out a bit.
They need to clear the mind more
”.
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