23 November 2017 – The South African U17 Women’s National Team (Bantwana) is in camp to prepare for the qualifiers of the 2018 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup that will take place in Uruguay from 13 November to 1 December.
Bantwana will face neighbours Botswana in the first leg on Friday, 1 December 2017 at the Lobatse Sports Complex in Lobatse, Botswana. The second leg is scheduled for Saturday, 16 December 2017 at the Dobsonville Stadium.
Both matches kick off at 15h00.
South Africa got a bye in the first round, while Botswana proceeded to the second round after defeating Zambia 6-5 on aggregate.
In the first match, Botswana won 5-2, but Zambia turned the tables in the second leg and ran out 4-0 winners, but it was not enough to see them progress.
Bantwana head coach Simphiwe Dludlu has called up 23 players for the camp.
“Things have been going well but not as well as want them to. Our preparations have been interrupted by examinations and we have also realised that most of the players that we have, despite the talent they have, they don’t have game time – which is a big factor,” said Dludlu.
“We are working on arranging a friendly match to see exactly where we are with the team, but I am confident that we have a good team that can go all the way. You must also remember that for some of these players it’s the first time they are away from their homes and they have deal with that factor, so they haven’t really come out of their shell but with time they will and we will see the best of them.”
The squad will continue with preparations and will leave for Botswana on Wednesday, 29 November.
“We are looking forward to this match even though we know that Botswana has already played two more matches than us. We are doing everything we possibly can to ensure we are ready come match day. They lost 5-2 away to Zambia, and won 4-0 at home, which says they are no pushovers so we have get our plan spot on, more so that we are playing away, but we just have to take it one match at a time,” added Dludlu.
A win for Bantwana will see them face either Nigeria or Ethiopia in the third and final round, which will be played in February 2018.
The 2018 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup will be the sixth edition of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup.
North Korea are the defending champions.
BANTWANA SQUAD TO FACE BOTSWANA
Goalkeepers:
- Leigh BROPHY UCT FC
- Gugu PITSO Blue Birds FC
- Thando SITHOLE Rosina Sedibane
Defenders:
- Fikile MAGAMA Heroes FC
- Kaylyn Jordaan Spurs FC
- Yenzokuhle NGUBANE Sunflower FC
- Yolanda NDULI Sunflower FC
- Taitana CHRISTEDIS JVW FC
- Sarah WALKER Old Parks FC
Midfielders:
- Cynthia MAKETE All for 1 FC
- Sphumelele SHAMASE Sunflower FC
- Thubelihle SHAMASE Sunflower FC
- Jessica WADE JVW FC
- Micaela NUNENS JVW FC
- Karabo DLAMINI Mamelodi Sundowns/HPC
- Khunjulwa MALI HPC
- Precious CHOSHI Kanatla Ladies
- Sibulele HOLWENI Sophakama Ladies
- Oratile MOKWENA Mamelodi Sundowns
- Miche MINNIES Santos FC
Strikers:
- Isabella LUDWIG Randburg FC
- Qaqamba NGQANGASHE Mthatha City/HPC
- Thambolinye MZONELI Shooting Stars