Head coach of the South African U17 Women’s National Team (Bantwana), Simphiwe Dludlu, believes that, even though it is not going to be an easy task, they can turn the results around against Ethiopia.
The East Africans defeated Bantwana 3-0 in the first leg of the third round of qualifiers on Friday, 15 April at the Wits Stadium in Johannesburg.
Although this was the first ever international match for the South Africans, Dludlu still harbour hopes of overall victory.
“We have called up 22 players for this return leg, with the hope that the players will return with a spirit of hard work. The aim is to fight until the final whistle and hope for a positive result,” Dludlu said on SAFA.net.
Bantwana will assemble for their training camp on Sunday, April 24 in preparation for the all-important second leg.
They face Ethiopia on May 1 in Addis Ababa.
The overall winner will progress to the third and final round of the competition.
Bantwana squad to face Ethiopia:
| No. | PLAYER’S NAME | CLUB |
| GOALKEEPERS: | ||
| 1. | Kgomotso MUSIMANGO | Kempton Park FC (Gauteng) |
| 2. | Shifaah HOSSEN | SAFA Academy (Gauteng) |
| DEFENDERS | ||
| 3. | Mariam Ditle | DZ Movers (Limpopo) |
| 4. | Portia MASILELA | Springs Home Sweepers (Gauteng) |
| 5. | Adrielle MIBE | Wits Juniors (Gauteng) |
| 6. | Geneva JAFTHA | Vasco Da Gama (Western Cape) |
| 7. | Ntando PHAHLA | Sunflower WFC (KwaZulu Natal) |
| 8. | Motshegwe GOSITANG | University of Johannesburg (Gauteng) |
| 9. | Nonzuzo BUTHELEZI | Edendale High School (KwaZulu Natal) |
| MIDFIELDERS: | ||
| 10. | Mpho NKADIMENG | High Performance Centre (Gauteng) |
| 11. | Mmabatho MOGALE | High Performance Centre (Gauteng) |
| 12. | Olwethu SOSIBO | Edendale High School (KwaZulu Natal) |
| 13. | Masabatha MATHAPO | Axias FC (Free State) |
| 14. | Daniella SEGALL | University of Cape Town (Western Cape) |
| 15. | Sibongakonke MZOBE | Lindelani Ladies (KwaZulu Natal) |
| 16. | Asanda MCHUNU | Edendale High School (KwaZulu Natal) |
| 17. | Ayanda MKHIZE | Durban Ladies WFC (KwaZulu Natal) |
| STRIKERS: | ||
| 18. | Ponatshego MOTHLADI | SAFA Frances Baard (Northern Cape) |
| 19. | Zoe-Isabella DE KOCK | Hotspurs Ladies (Western Cape) |
| 20. | Khutso MOGANO | SAFA Academy (Gauteng) |
| 21. | Gugu DHLAMINI | SAFA Academy (Gauteng) |
| 22. | Jordan BAARTMAN | Vasco Da Gama (Western Cape) |
By Matlhomola Morake
