The Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana will be without three key players for their two friendly matches against the USA on Friday, 22 September in Cincinnati as well as on Sunday, 24 September in Chicago.
This comes after the withdrawal of three players for various reasons.
Defender Noko Matlou has been left out following challenges with her Visa, and her place has been taken by England-based Faith Nokuthula.
Midfielder Sibulele Holweni suffered an injury in the 65th minute of her club’s (University of the Western Cape – UWC) Hollywoodbets Super League clash against fellow students Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) on Saturday (16 September). She was unable to return to the field and also ruled out of the American trip.
Influential forward, South Korea-based Hildah Magaia, has been withdrawn due to medical reasons. The former TUT player has been the go-to person for Banyana Banyana in recent times and her absence will be a big blow for the South Africans.
This brings to five the number of key players not traveling to the USA, including captain and midfielder Refiloe Jane as well as defender Bambabani Mbane who were not considered for this assignment as they are recovering from injuries sustained during last month’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Due to the recent turn of events, South Africa will have 21 players to face the former World Champions from the initial list of 23 players announced by coach Desiree Ellis.
A squad of 16 players that ply their trade in the Hollywoodbets Super League departed on Sunday evening (17 September 2023) and is expected in the USA on Monday (18 September) where they will be joined by the five overseas-based players – Faith Nokuthula (England), Jermaine Seoposenwe (Mexico), Linda Motlhalo (Scotland) as well as Thembi Kgatlana and Sinoxolo Cesane (both USA).
Meanwhile the African Champions hosted their new sponsors, Shield, to breakfast before departure.
This was the first time the team met with the company since the partnership was signed and sealed shortly before the World Cup.
Among others at the gathering were SAFA CEO Lydia Monyepao, and Tamryn Taylor (Southern Africa Deodorant Marketing Director), Sthembile Ngobese (Head of Corporate Affairs Southern Africa), Gareth Marshall (Sponsorship & Partnerships Lead) and Boitumelo Motsilanyane (Shield Brand Lead) who represented Shield.
“I would like to welcome and acknowledge our new sponsor, (brand new from the box) Shield, we want to welcome you to Banyana Banyana. These ladies have been tough on us to say we need to get more sponsors for the team, and we have been searching everywhere (looking even under the table) and knocking on closed doors. But thank you Shield for raising your hand and coming on board,” said Monyepao in a statement from SAFA.net
“The aim of this breakfast is to catch up as far as the sponsorship is concerned. It is because of sponsorships that the team is able to have such quality international friendlies. Without funding and sponsors, it becomes difficult for preparations to happen. And to the Banyana Banyana players and staff, welcome back to camp. I know that it has not been long since you returned from the FIFA Women’s World Cup and I want to wish you all the best for your trip to the US. I hope you can continue from where you left off against the Netherlands. You made us all proud and everyone is excited about what this team is doing on the international stage.”
Emphasising on the slogan, #NotDoneYet, Marshall had this to say:
“It’s an honour to be here. We had been talking about Banyana Banyana for a while and we have been wanting to get this partnership over the line. Thank you for flying the South Africa flag so high, it really is an honour to be here. I look forward to this partnership and hope we really get to inspire the next generation. #NotDoneYet, which means, among other things, we have got some stories to tell and we look forward doing it with you.”
BANYANA BANYANA VS USA FIXTURES:
Friday, 22 September 2023
TQL Stadium, Cincinnati
01H30 AM (SA Time)
Sunday, 24 September 2023
Soldier Field, Chicago
23H30 (SA Time)
UPDATED BANYANA BANYANA SQUAD vs USA
| GOALKEEPERS: | |
| ANDILE DLAMINI | MAMELODI SUNDOWNS LADIES |
| KAYLIN SWART | JVW |
| KEBOTSENG KATLEGO MOLETSANE | ROYAL AM |
| DEFENDERS: | |
| LEBOHANG RAMALEPE | MAMELODI SUNDOWNS LADIES |
| BONGEKA GAMEDE | UWC |
| TIISETSO MAKHUBELA | MAMELODI SUNDOWNS LADIES |
| FIKILE MAGAMA | UWC |
| KARABO DHLAMINI | MAMELODI SUNDOWNS LADIES |
| LONATHEMBA MHLONGO | UWC |
| FAITH NOKUTHULA | BLACKBURN ROVERS (ENGLAND) |
| MIDFIELDERS: | |
| LINDA MOTLHALO | GLASGOW CITY (SCOTLAND) |
| KHOLOSA BIYANA | MAMELODI SUNDOWNS LADIES |
| NOMVULA KGOALE | T GALAXY QUEENS |
| ROBYN MOODALY | JVW |
| SINOXOLO CESANE | EAST TENNESSEE STATE (USA) |
| FORWARDS: | |
| JERMAINE SEOPOSENWE | FC MONTERREY (MEXICO) |
| NOXOLO CESANE | UWC |
| THEMBI KGATLANA | RACING LOUISVILLE (USA) |
| GABRIELA SALGADO | JVW |
| MELINDA KGADIETE | MAMELODI SUNDOWNS LADIES |
| WENDY SHONGWE | UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA |
By Matlhomola Morake
