Bafana Bafana assistant coach Thabo Senong says despite the country failing to qualify for the 2018 CHAN tournament, they managed to accomplish their mission of fast forwarding the development of players and also increasing the pool of players in the national team.

South Africa went down 2-0 (2-4 on aggregate) to Zambia in the second leg of the 2018 CHAN qualifiers on Saturday 19 August 2017 at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola, Zambia.

The first leg, played in East London a week ago (Saturday 12 August 2017), ended in a 2-2 draw.

Senong says the Bafana Bafana technical team, through the COSAFA Cup tournament and CHAN qualifiers, has managed to introduce many junior players into a higher level of competition.

Several U20 players were called up and some used for the two competitions. The likes of Sibongakonke Mbatha, Sipho Mbule, Masilake Phohlongo, Wiseman Meyiwa, Malebogo Modise, Thendo Mukumela, Sandile Mthethwa, Teboho Mokoena, Khulekani Khubeka, Thabo Cele, Liam Jordan, who were all at the U20 World Cup in Korea recently, got a look in.

In addition, some experienced players, who were either on the fringes of the main Bafana Bafana squad or not considered previously, also got a chance to be seen up close and personal, like Gift Motupa, Bonginkosi Ntuli, Siphelele Ntshangase, Dumisani Zuma, Mario Booysen, Cole Alexander, Boalefa Pule, Sibusiso Kumalo and Michael Morton.