Head coach of the South African U17 Women’s National Team, Simphiwe Dludlu, expects her charges to go to war when they take on their counterparts from Ethiopia in the first leg of the third round of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifier.
The South Africans have been in camp for a week where 25 players were called up, and then trimmed down to 20 in line with the rules of the competition.
Dludlu believes they have done enough preparations and be ready for Ethiopia.
‘’We will be going out guns blazing to display our brand of football and represent the country with distinction. This match will set the platform for us going into the second leg and we are looking forward to the challenge,” said Dludlu on SAFA.net.
The former Banyana Banyana captain however believes the East Africans have a slight advantage – this after Bantwana advanced to this round without playing a match after their opponents Kenya were suspended by FIFA ahead of their clash.
On the other hand, Ethiopia has been competitive, as they brushed aside Uganda over two matches to reach the third phase of the qualifiers.
She is confident of a positive outcome.
“They come into this match more prepared and with more experience than us at this level of international football. Their group of U17 has already being exposed to playing FIFA World Cup qualifiers, dealing with the pressure that comes with these matches,” added Dludlu.
“We on the other hand will be playing our first international match, with a group of players that have never put on the national team jersey, sang the national anthem or played in a live broadcast match. We have however, studied their style of play, worked on our strengths and weaknesses and have identified areas where we can hurt them.”
The first leg is scheduled for Friday, 15 April 2022 at Wits Stadium in Johannesburg and will be broadcast live on SABC Sport and Channel 124 on Open View.
The second leg will be played in Ethiopia at the beginning of May 2022.
| No. | PLAYER’S NAME | CLUB |
| GOALKEEPERS: | ||
| 1. | Kgomotso MUSIMANGO | Kempton Park FC (Gauteng) |
| 2. | Casey GORDON | JVW Ladies (Gauteng) |
| DEFENDERS | ||
| 3. | Mpho Dlamini | Kempton Park FC (Gauteng) |
| 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. | Kananelo TAIWE | Richmond United (Northern Cape) |
| 11. | Mpho NKADIMENG | High Performance Centre (Gauteng) |
| 12. | Mmabatho MOGALE | High Performance Centre (Gauteng) |
| 13. | Olwethu SOSIBO | Edendale High School (KwaZulu Natal) |
| 14. | Masabatha MOTHAPO | Axias FC (Free State) |
| 15. | Daniella SEGALL | University of Cape Town (Western Cape) |
| 16. | Sibongakonke MZOBE | Lindelani Ladies (KwaZulu Natal) |
| 17. | Asanda MCHUNU | Edendale High School (KwaZulu Natal) |
| 18. | Ayanda MKHIZE | Durban Ladies WFC (KwaZulu Natal) |
| STRIKERS: | ||
| 19. | Mothladi PONATSHEGO | SAFA Frances Baard (Northern Cape) |
| 20. | Khutso MOGANO | High Performance Centre (Gauteng) |
By Matlhomola Morake
