Dludlu gets her charges ready for Ethiopia clash
The cold and wet Johannesburg weekend could not deter the South African U17 Women’s National Team from going ahead with their preparations.
Bantwana had to endure long spells in the rain as they were getting ready for the upcoming FIFA U17 Women World Cup qualifier against Ethiopia on Friday, 15 April 2022.
The South Africans assembled for camp at the weekend, with the primary focus on fitness.
“We had a challenging weekend with the bad weather, but we have managed to work mainly on the players’ fitness levels,” said SA head coach Simphiwe Dludlu on SAFA.net.
“We are hoping to spend the rest of the week concentrating on how we will approach the match against Ethiopia. We have done all the theory over the weekend through our video sessions, but we need to put all the theory into practical now on the pitch.”
The first leg third round clash will take place at the Wits Stadium in Johannesburg.
Kickoff is at 15h00.
The return leg is set for May.
Dludlu is eager to return to the Women’s U17 World Cup after she led them in Uruguay in 2018.
This will be their third appearance – the first coming in 2010 in Trinidad and Tobago under Solly Luvhengo, featuring current Banyana Banyana players Portugal-based striker Jermaine Seoposenwe, midfielder Nomvula Kgoale based in Spain and the JVW FC duo of goalkeeper Kaylin Swart and midfielder Robyn Moodaly.
The quartet is away with the senior national team preparing to face the Netherlands in an international friendly match on tomorrow (Tuesday, 12 April 2022).
The South African U17 Women’s National Team to face Ethiopia:
| No. | PLAYER’S NAME | CLUB |
| GOALKEEPERS: | ||
| 1. | Shifaah HOOSSEN | SAFA Academy (Western Cape) |
| 2. | Kgomotso MUSIMANGO | Kempton Park FC (Gauteng) |
| 3. | Casey GORDON | JVW Ladies (Gauteng) |
| DEFENDERS | ||
| 4. | Mpho Dlamini | Kempton Park FC (Gauteng) |
| 5. | Portia MASILELA | Springs Home Sweepers (Gauteng) |
| 6. | Adrielle MIBE | Wits Juniors (Gauteng) |
| 7. | Geneva JAFTHA | Vasco Da Gama (Western Cape) |
| 8. | Ntando PHAHLA | Sunflower WFC (KwaZulu Natal) |
| 9. | Motshegwa GOSITANG | University of Johannesburg (Gauteng) |
| 10. | Nonzuzo BUTHELEZI | Edendale High School (KwaZulu Natal) |
| MIDFIELDERS: | ||
| 11. | Kutlwano MAPHANE | Mito Stars (Gauteng) |
| 12. | Kananelo TAIWE | Richmond United (Northern Cape) |
| 13. | Mpho NKADIMENG | High Performance Centre (Gauteng) |
| 14. | Mmabatho MOGALE | High Performance Centre (Gauteng) |
| 15. | Olwethu SOSIBO | Edendale High School (KwaZulu Natal) |
| 16. | Resego MASIBI | Tswelelang DE ‘Scorpion (North West) |
| 17. | Masabatha MOTHAPO | Axias FC (Free State) |
| 18. | Daniella SEGALL | University of Cape Town (Western Cape) |
| 19. | Sibongakonke MZOBE | Lindelani Ladies (KwaZulu Natal) |
| 20. | Nomphelo YAKUPHI | Copperbelt Ladies (Limpopo) |
| 21. | Asanda MCHUNU | Edendale High School (KwaZulu Natal) |
| 22. | Ayanda MKHIZE | Durban Ladies WFC (KwaZulu Natal) |
| STRIKERS: | ||
| 23. | Khutso MOGANO | High Performance Centre (Gauteng) |
| 24. | Gugu DHLAMINI | High Performance Centre (Gauteng) |
| 25. | Motladi PONATSHEGO | SAFA Frances Baard (Northern Cape) |
By Matlhomola Morake
