Banyana Banyana’s preparations for the upcoming Africa Women Cup of Nations tournament will begin in earnest when they face the Netherlands.
South Africa’s head coach Desiree Ellis has named a strong squad of 22 players for the Tuesday, 12 April 2022 fixture, which will take place in the city of Den Haag (The Hague).
This will be Banyana Banyana’s first match since they qualified for the AWCON when they defeated Algeria alst month https://centrecircle.online/banyana-banyana-secure-awcon-spot/
Ellis has called up eight overseas-based players, including striker Jermaine Seoposenwe who plies her trade in Portugal.
The Capetonian has not donned the Banyana Banyana jersey in over two years – (last match was November 2019 against Japan) – due to the Covid 19 pandemic, and more recently owing to visa challenges in Europe.
“This is part of our preparations for the AWCON, but also to test players against a higher-level opponent to assess if the players have the necessary mental strength to stay focused despite not having played any league matches this year,” said Ellis in a statement.
The Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana faced the 5th world ranked Netherlands twice before with one match called because of a spread of Covid in the South African team last year.
Both matches ended in victories for the Europeans, 2-0 in 2016 in Holland, and 2-1 in Cape Town in 2020.
The South Africans are ranked 4th on the continent and 56th in the world.
Nozipho Mbatha, Senior Manager: Group Brand & Sponsorships at Sasol, wished the team well.
“Sasol is fully behind you. You have given us stellar results since the beginning of your AWCON campaign, and we believe that you will continue to move on the same #Limitless trajectory.”
Banyana Banyana assemble for camp on 5 April and depart for Europe three days later (8 April 2022).
The AWCON will take place in Morocco from 2-23 July 2022.
BANYANA BANYANA SQUAD TO THE NETHERLANDS:
1. Andile DLAMINI (GK) Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies
2. Kaylin SWART (GK) JVW FC
3. Lebogang RAMALEPE (DF) Dinamo Minsk Minsk (BELARUS)
4. Karabo DHLAMINI (DF) Oakland University Michigan (USA)
5. Koketso TLAILANE (DF) Tshwane University of Technology (TUT)
6. Janine VAN WYK (DF) JVW FC
7. Tiisetso MAKHUBELA (DF) Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies
8. Bambanani MBANE (DF) Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies
9. Noko MATLOU (DF) SD Eibar (SPAIN)
10. Mamello Makhabane (MF) JVW FC
11. Nomvula KGOALE (MF) Parquesol CD (Valladolid – SPAIN)
12. Linda MOTLHALO (MF) Djurgårdens Stockholm (SWEDEN)
13. Gabriela SALGADO (MF) JVW FC
14. Noxolo CESANE (MF) University of Western Cape Cape Town (UWC)
15. Thalea SMIDT (MF) Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies
16. Kholosa BIYANA (MF) Sporting Gijón (Gijón – SPAIN)
17. Robyn MOODALY (MF) JVW FC
18. Sibulele HOLWENI (MF) University of Western Cape (UWC)
19. Thembi KGATLANA (FW) Atlético Madrid (Madrid – SPAIN)
20. Jermaine SEOPOSENWE (FW) SC Braga (Braga – PORTUGAL)
21. Melinda KGADIETE (FW) Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies
22. Nthabiseng MAJIYA (FW) Richmond Ladies
By Matlhomola Morake
