Smythe-Lowe and Co ready to heed Mosimane’s call and step up for Bafana

Speaking to the media just before their training session at Clapham High School yesterday, Smythe-Lowe, a member of the U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winning squad and FIFA World Cup squad last year, is also starting to look at the senior set-up.  

Recently, the senior team head coach Pitso Mosimane spoke about giving the youngsters a chance, and that’s something the Ubuntu Football Academy product is looking forward to...

"When you go there it's going to be difficult, but it's something everybody here is aspiring to achieve, and for me personally I would seriously love that opportunity but you have to work for that opportunity and constantly improve. It's ultimately down to us, but for now we work hard and remain grounded, and we'll see what happens in the future."

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In Portugal, Smythe-Lowe has been promoted to the senior team at Primeira Liga club Estoril, after his exploits in Egypt and Chile last year. 

Smythe-Lowe rose to prominence when he kept a clean sheet in all of Amajita’s matches at the COSAFA U20 tournament in Mozambique in 2024 and continued with that performance at the AFCON and the World Cup. 

The 19-year-old has showered his teammate at U20, Takalani Mazhamba, with praise, together with the current Amajita team, for defending their title in Mozambique this past weekend...

"He is a really amazing person, a top human being and a top footballer, and congratulations to Amajita and all the incredible players."

The new U23 team, also under head coach Raymond Mdaka, starts its journey this week, playing two international friendlies against Algeria in Bloemfontein. The first game will be played tomorrow at 18:00 at the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium, and the second game will also be at the same venue on Sunday afternoon. Smythe-Lowe is welcoming the continuity of working with Mdaka and his assistant Karabo Mogudi, with the U23s as they build up to the AFCON U23 and LA Olympics 2028 qualifications.