The Netherlands has selected a strong squad of 25 players for their two international friendly matches against Banyana Banyana.

The Netherlands has selected a strong squad of 25 players for their two international friendly matches against Banyana Banyana.

The clashes will take place on Saturday, 4 June with the second scheduled for Tuesday, 7 May.

Both encounters will be played at Mandemakers Stadium in Waalwijk in Netherlands with 15h00 and 19h00 kickoffs respectively.

The Orange Lionesses are ranked 13th in the world, while South Africa is in position 54.

In their squad, The Netherlands has named 11 players who ply their trade outside the country, while another four are uncapped.

They have some experienced players like midfielder Sherida Spitse (Norway) who has made 118 appearances, goalkeeper Loes Geurts (Sweden) with 108 caps and defender Mandy van den Berg (England) on 71 matches. They also have a lethal striker — Vivianne Miedema of Bayern Munich who has scored 24 goals in 36 appearances.

However, Banyana Banyana captain Janine van Wyk said her charges would not be intimidated by their more illustrious opponents.

“Preparations are going well, everyone is looking sharp and we can’t wait to get on that plane to go face Netherlands. We are using this match to challenge ourselves as a team and to see how we can do going forward. We would like to thank SAFA and our sponsors Sasol for arranging this top class opposition, which will be a very good test for us. While we would love to go and win, the aim for us is to put the final touches to our preparations ahead of the Olympic Games,” said Van Wyk.

“They have good players, some of whom play outside the country and coming up against them will help us in a great way to achieve what we want out of this match and get us ready for the Games. After the two friendlies we will be in a position to know at which level we are and what we need to do going forward.”

The Netherlands are using this match to prepare for 2017 UEFA Women’s Euro Championship, which they are hosting. The tournament runs from 16 July to 7 August.

The Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana has also named 25 players for the two matches.

First International friendly match

DATE: Saturday, 4 June 2016

KICK-OFF: 15h00

VENUE: Mandemakers Stadium, RKC Waalwijk, Waalwijk, The Netherlands


International friendly match – with spectators

DATE: Tuesday, 7 June 2016

KICK-OFF: 19h00

VENUE: Mandemakers Stadium, RKC Waalwijk, Waalwijk, The Netherlands


NETHERLANDS SQUAD TO FACE BANYANA BANYANA

Name Club Caps Goals Pos.
1. Eshly Bakker Ajax 10 3 Forward
2. Lineth Beerensteyn ADO Den Haag     Forward/MF
3. Mandy van den Berg Liverpool (ENG) 71 4 DF
4. Sheila van den Bulk Djurgardens IF (SWE)     DF/MF
5. Angela Christ PSV 14 0 GK
6. Merel van Dongen Ajax 10 1 DF/MF
7. Daniëlle van de Donk Arsenal (ENG) 50 9 MF
8. Kika van Es PSV 22 0 DF
9. Loes Geurts Kop./Göteborg (SWE) 108 0 GK
10. Stefanie van der Gragt FC Twente 30 2 DF
11. Jackie Groenen FFC Frankfurt (GER) 5 0 MF
12. Ellen Jansen FC Twente 3 0 Forward
13. Renate Jansen FC Twente 4 2 Forward/MF
14. Dominique Janssen Arsenal (ENG) 16 0 DF
15. Inessa Kaagman Ajax     DF/MF
16. Danique Kerkdijk FC Twente 6 0 DF
17. Jeslynn Kuijpers PSV 1 0 Forward
18. Lieke Martens FC Rosengård (SWE) 61 25 Forward
19. Tessel Middag Ajax 33 3 MF
20. Vivianne Miedema Bay. München (GER) 36 24 Forward
21. Myrthe Moorrees PSV     DF/MF
22. Shanice v.d Sanden Liverpool (ENG) 26 7 Forward
23. Sherida Spitse LSK Kvinner FK (NOR) 118 17 MF
24. Sari van Veenendaal Arsenal (ENG) 23 0 GK
25. Kelly Zeeman Ajax 8 0 DF

BANYANA BANYANA SQUAD TRAVELLING TO THE NETHERLANDS

GOALKEEPERS
1. Roxanne Barker Unattached Cape Town
2. Andile Dlamini Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies Johannesburg
3. Mapaseka Mpuru HPC Pretoria
4. Kaylin Swart Des Moines Menace University USA
DEFENDERS
5. Lebohang Ramalepe Maindis FC Polokwane
6. Nothando Vilakazi Palace Super Falcons FC Johannesburg
7. Janine Van Wyk JVW FC Johannesburg
8. Noko Matlou Maindis FC Polokwane
9. Lerato Kgasago Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies Johannesburg
10. Nomathemba Ntsibande Springs Home Sweepers Johannesburg
11. Bambanani Mbane Bloemfontein Celtic Bloemfontein
12. Lebogang Mabatle TUKS Pretoria
MIDFIELDERS
13. Mamello Makhabane JVW FC Johannesburg
14. Amanda Dlamini JVW FC Johannesburg
15. Refiloe Jane Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies Johannesburg
16. Leandra Smeda UWC Ladies Cape Town
17. Nompumelelo Nyandeni JVW FC Johannesburg
18. Bongiwe Thusi Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies Johannesburg
19. Linda Motlhalo JVW FC Johannesburg
20. Stephanie Malherbe Texas A & M University USA
FORWARDS/ STRIKERS
21. Sanah Mollo Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies Johannesburg
22. Shiwe Nogwanya Bloemfontein Celtic Ladies Bloemfontein
23. Thembi Kgatlana UWC Ladies Cape Town
24. Chantelle Essau Palace Super Falcons FC Johannesburg
25. Jermaine Seoposenwe Samford University USA

** NB Amanda Dlamini and Linda Motlhalo now play for JVW FC, while Refiloe Jane is with Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies **