“It was a good experience,” reflects Lorenzo Gordinho about last Sunday’s match between South Africa Under-23s and their Brazilian counterparts in an international friendly.

The Kaizer Chiefs defender started for South Africa’s Under-23s against a strong Brazilian side. The game was played at Maceió’s Estádio Rei Pelé. The visitors lost 3-1.

The match was played in preparation for the 2016 Rio Olympics, which will be held in August and for which the South African Under-23s have qualified.

It can’t have been easy for the young defender as, after coming back with the Kaizer Chiefs squad from Ivory Coast’s Abidjan, Gordinho had to go nearly straight with the Under-23 on a long trip to first São Paulo and, accordingly, to Maceió, a city in the north east of Brazil.

“It was a long travel,” admits Gordinho, who has this season been doing great in Amakhosi’s defence, “but it is always great to experience another culture. The Brazilians really love their soccer. The stadium was packed to capacity.”

The Chiefs defender was replaced by South Africa’s Under-23s coach Owen da Gama in the first half.

“It would be great to be selected for the Olympics,” Gordinho looks ahead, “that is a dream for any young sportsman.”

Amakhosi goalkeeper Luthando Sixhaso was also selected for the Under-23s to travel to Brazil, but he had to withdraw after sustaining a shoulder injury during a training session with the South African squad before travelling out.