Cape Town - SAFA president Dr Danny Jordaan immediately sent a congratulatory message to the South Africa U-23 side that qualified for the 2016 Olympics with a penalty shootout win over Senegal at the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday.
The win means that coach Owen da Gama's side finished third at the tournament - enough for them to book their ticket to Rio next year.
"This has been an extraordinary year for our national teams," said Jordaan.
"Wow, what can I say apart from congratulating coach Owen da Gama and the boys.
This has been some year for our national teams starting from Bafana Bafana,
U23, Banyana Banyana, U20 (Amajita), U17 (Amajimbos) and our U20 women’s
national team which just missed next year’s World Cup finals in Papua Guinea on
the very last match.
"Now, everyone can see what we mean by Vision 2022 when it comes to preparing
winning teams both on the continent and globally.
"We as SAFA have just announced a huge profit of over R40 million at the 25th SAFA Congress on Saturday and now our U23 side has just put the icing on the cake with this marvelous result. Take a bow Owen and the boys."
South African goalkeeper Jody February was the hero. having saved a penalty in the second half and a further three in the shootout to almost single-handedly secure victory.