After several months out on the side-lines due to Covid-19 related challenges, Banyana Banyana goalkeeper Andile Dlamini is back in the national team.
The Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies goalminder missed the COSAFA Cup while she was recuperating at home and had to watch her compatriots fail to defend their regional title.
Dlamini was also not part of the team that beat Mozambique in the second round of the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations qualifiers.
But she is excited to be recalled, and is part of the 23-woman Banyana Banyana squad that will travel to Zambia for a friendly international in preparation for the upcoming AWCON final round against Algeria.
The South Africans will face the Zambians on Saturday, 12 February 2022.
“It is indeed an honour and privilege to be back in the team after so long. I still say that in order to be recalled one has to work hard, and the coaches have to be convinced. I worked very hard, and was given a chance by my club and I took it,” said an elated Dlamini from the Banyana Banyana camp.
“It is never easy because you are playing with the best. but I am happy to be back. Lovely to see my teammates, but most importantly I am happy I conquered everything I went through.”
Her hard work saw being given the number one spot again at Sundowns where she helped the team to the inaugural CAF Women’s Champions League when they defeated Ghana’s Hasaacas Ladies 2-0 in November in Cairo.
This was followed by her recall to the national team where she has been selected as one of the three captains alongside Janine van Wyk and Sibulele Holweni.
“I am really humbled to selected one of the captains for this camp. I am speechless and just grateful for this honour,” added Dlamini.
“This for me is a good move because the senior players know the culture of the team and this is where leadership becomes important. We have young ones who want to bring their best to the table, so we need to give them happiness to express themselves and make sure everything is comfortable around you.”
The Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana last played in October last year when they faced Mozambique.
The fixture against Zambia represents a chance for the South Africans to do a dress rehearsal before taking on Algeria. And it will also help with mental readiness.
“This is a very important match against our neighbours as it will be help us check where we are as a team in terms of fitness because we haven’t played for a while together. And these preparations are key also for our mental stability as we are not playing at home – that takes you out of your comfort zone, and helps us to thoroughly prepare for the qualifiers,” added Dlamini.
“The truth is preparing for AWCON is a whole lot of things at stake. We have to do well at the tournament and make sure we do our best to qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup. But the Zambia encounter is the first step to focus on – it is the first box to tick so we can move on to our next assignment so we can have a winning mentality.”
Banyana Banyana travel to Zambia on Thursday, 10 February.
By Matlhomola Morake
