The South African Senior Women’s National Team, Banyana Banyana, returns to camp this evening (Saturday, 2 April 2016) to start preparations for the crucial African Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCN) qualifiers against Botswana.
The two-legged tie will see Banyana Banyana face off against The Zebras at the Lobatse Sports Complex Stadium on Saturday, 9 April 2016 in Lobatse, Botswana.
The return leg is scheduled for Makhulong Stadium in Tembisa on Tuesday, 12 April 2016.
Kick for both games is at 16h00 and 19h00 respectively.
Banyana Banyana head coach Vera Pauw has selected 28 players for the camp with Busisiwe Ndimeni ruled out because of an injury she sustained in Cameroon, while Jabu Mazibuko returns to the squad after missing out on the West African travel due to an injury.
The South Africans played two international friendly matches against the host nation – winning 2-0 in the first one and drawing 2-all in the second clash.
The Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana will conduct their training sessions at the Nike Football Training Centre in Pimville, Soweto before departing for neighbouring Botswana on Tuesday, 5 April.
“We have just recently returned from Cameroon where we did very well and we are now looking forward to these upcoming clashes with Botswana. Our travel to West Africa has helped us with preparations for Botswana because we really want to qualify for the AWCN and make the nation proud. All these matches that we are playing are part of the programme to prepare for the bigger stage, the Rio Olympic Games in August,” said Pauw.
Cameroon will host the 12th edition of the AWCN tournament from 19 November to 3 December, 2016.
Banyana Banyana squad list
| NO. | NAME | CLUB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GOALKEEPERS | |||
| 1. | Roxanne BARKER | Unattached | |
| 2. | Andile DLAMINI | Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies | Johannesburg |
| 3. | Mapaseka MPURU | HPC | Pretoria |
| 4. | Mpho TEFO | Kanatla Ladies F.C. | Polokwane |
| DEFENDERS | |||
| 5. | Lebogang RAMALEPE | MaIndies F.C. | Polokwane |
| 6. | Nothando VILAKAZI | Palace Super Falcons F.C. | Johannesburg |
| 7. | Janine van WYK | JVW F.C. | Johannesburg |
| 8. | Noko MATLOU | MaIndies F.C. | Polokwane |
| 9. | Lerato KGASAGO | Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies | Johannesburg |
| 10. | Nomathemba NTSIBANDE | Springs Home Sweepers F.C. | Johannesburg |
| 11. | Jabulile MAZIBUKO | TUKS | Pretoria |
| 12. | Bambanani MBANE | Bloemfontein Celtic Ladies | Bloemfontein |
| 13. | Letago MADIBA | TUT Ladies | Pretoria |
| 14. | Lebogang MABATLE | TUKS | Pretoria |
| MIDFIELDERS | |||
| 15. | Mamello MAKHABANE | JVW F.C. | Pretoria |
| 16. | Silindile NGUBANE | Durban Ladies F.C. | Durban |
| 17. | Refiloe JANE | VUT Ladies F.C. | Vaal |
| 18. | Amanda DLAMINI | UJ Ladies F.C. | Johannesburg |
| 19. | Leandra SMEDA | UWC Ladies F.C. | Cape Town |
| 20. | Nompumelelo NYANDENI | JVW F.C. | Johannesburg |
| 21. | Bongiwe THUSI | Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies | Johannesburg |
| 22. | Linda MOTLHALO | HPC | Pretoria |
| 23. | Stephanie MALHERBE | Texas A & M University | USA |
| STRIKERS | |||
| 24. | Sanah MOLLO | Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies. | Johannesburg |
| 25. | Shiwe NOGWANYA | Bloemfontein Celtic Ladies | Bloemfontein |
| 26. | Thembi KGATLANA | UWC Ladies F.C. | Cape Town |
| 27. | Chantelle ESSAU | Palace Super Falcons F.C. | Johannesburg |
| 28. | Andisiwe MGCOYI | Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies | Johannesburg |