Head coach of the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana, Desiree Ellis, will have been pleased with the news that two of her top strikers, South Korea-based Hilda Magaia and Jermaine Seoposenwe, who plies her trade in Mexico, were both on the scoresheet over the weekend (Sunday, 3 April 2023) for their respective clubs ahead of reporting for national team duty.
Magaia, who is on the books of Sejong Sportstoto WFC, hit the back of the net in the 88th minute to salvage a 2-2 draw against Boeun Sangmu in the Korean Women’s League (otherwise known as the KW League).
In Mexico, Seoposenwe continued with her fine form in the 3-3 draw against the visiting American Femenil in the Liga MX Femenil.
The Capetonian headed home 23 minutes into the match for a 3-1 lead – but they could not hold on, with the guests reducing the deficit before the break, and equalising in the 64th minute to force a share of the spoils.
The Banyana Banyana technical team will also be excited that the bulk of the players selected for international friendly match against Serbia were in action over the weekend.
The fixture, pencilled for the 10th of April, is part of preparations for the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup that will take place in Australia and New Zealand from 20 July to 20 August this year.
Noko Matlou:
- was in the starting line-up for SD Eibar as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Foundation Albacete
Linda Motlhalo:
- played 90 minutes and helped Glasgow City defeat Heart of Midlothian 2-0 in the Scottish Women’s Premier league
Refiloe Jane:
- in Italy Banyana Banyana co-captain Refiloe Jane lasted the distance as they emerged 2-0 victors over Pomigliano in the Serie A Femminile
Noxolo Cesane:
- introduced in the 82nd minute to assist her side defeat Cruz Azul 1-0 in Mexico.
The home-based Banyana Banyana players were invited to a week-long training camp (27 – 31 March) in Johannesburg, before being released back to their clubs for the weekend (1st and 2nd April) to play in the Hollywoodbets Super League.
Three of them were on the scoresheet for their various clubs: Gabby Salgado (JVW), Sibulele Holweni (UWC) and S’phumelele Shamase (UJ Ladies) while goalkeeper Andile Dlamini (Sundowns Ladies) was an unused substitute, with Nomvula Kgoale (TS Galaxy Queens) not named in the match-day squad.
Here’s how the local-based players faired this past weekend in South Africa’s Premier Women’s League before returning to the national team’s training camp ahead of their travel to Serbia on Thursday, 6 April:
JVW FC (beat TUT 1-0):
Gabriela Salgado – Scored
Robyn Moodaly – Started
Kaylin Swart – Started
UWC FC (beat Copperbelt 2-0):
Sibulele Holweni – scored
Regirl Ngobeni – Started
Kholosa Biyana – Started
Lonathemba Mhlongo – Started
Fikile Magama – Started
Bongeka Gamede – Started
Mamelodi Sundowns (lost 1-0 to Royal AM Ladies):
Karabo Dhlamini – Started
Bambanani Mbane – Started
Lelona Daweti – 2nd half Substitute
Andile Dlamini – Unused substitute
University of Pretoria FC (beat Durban Ladies 2-1):
Wendy Shongwe – 2nd Substitute
Richmond Ladies (beat City Lads Ladies 1-0):
Nthabiseng Majiya – Started
UJ FC (beat First Touch Academy 3-0):
S’phumelele Shamase – scored a brace
TS Galaxy Queens (beat Coal City Wizards 6-0):
Nomvula Kgoale – Not in the match day squad
By Matlhomola Morake
