Fresh from scooping youngsters, Nthabiseng Majiya from Richmond United, and Cimone Sauls from JVW, reigning Hollywoodbets Super League champions Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies have added another start to their arsenal.
Banyana Ba Style have announced the signing of former Sasol League club Sunflower WFC captain, Asanda Hadebe.
At a tender age of 16, the Hammersdale-born defender made her first appearance for the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana in 2021 against Mozambique in the 2022 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The petite Hadebe was one of the standout players at the 2023 Hollywoodbets COSAFA Women’s Championship held in Johannesburg.
She recently played in both legs against Tanzania in the third round of the 2024 Paris Olympic qualifiers in Dar es Salaam and in Mpumalanga last month.
Hadebe has been named in the current preliminary squad of 30 players to face Nigeria in the crucial fourth and final round of the 2024 CAF Women’s Olympic qualifier next month, with the group still to be trimmed down to 23 ahead of their travel to Abuja.
Banyana Banyana start their training camp on Monday, 25 March to start preparations for the clash against the Super Falcons of Nigeria, with the matches scheduled for Friday, 5 April away, while the return leg will take place on Tuesday, 9 April at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria.
Kickoff is at 19h30.
Hadebe was part of the squad and also played against Slovenia in the 1-1 draw clash at the Turkish Women’s Cup in February last year where she came on as a sub.
She also featured in the 3-0 loss against Brazil in an international friendly played in Durban in 2022 as part of preparations for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup that was held in Australia and New Zealand.
Sundowns Ladies host Durban Ladies at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville on Sunday, 24 March 2024 – it is not clear if Hadebe will be part of the proceedings or not. Failing, she will have to wait for post the international break to made her debut for hew new employers.
They are scheduled to face newcomers Lindelani Ladies on Sunday, 13 March.
PLAYER PROFILE
| Surname : Hadebe |
| Name : Asanda |
| Nickname: Makati / Ndah |
| Birth Place : Marianhill |
| Region :Durban |
| Province : KwaZulu Natal |
| Current Club : Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies (Hollywoodbets Super League) |
| Previous Club : Sunflower W.F.C (Sasol League – KwaZulu Natal) |
| Position: Left Back, Attacking Midfielder |
| Height : 163 Cm Weight : 54.2 |
| Favourite Team : Chelsea Women FC |
| Favourite Player : Lauren James |
| Favourite Coach : Siyabonga Malinga (Sunflower WFC) |
| Favourite Dish : Steam Bread & Beans |
| Hobbies : PlayStation Football |
| Ambitions : To be a professional footballer and have a foundation that will help those in need |
| Advice to fellow youngsters : “No matter what / which circumstances you face in life just stay positive and be calm so that you can fulfil your dreams” |
By Matlhomola Morake
