9 February 2018 – Head coach of the South African U17 Women’s National Team (Bantwana), Simphiwe Dludlu, has announced a squad of 20 players that will travel to Morocco for the second leg second round of the 2018 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup.

Bantwana will face the North Africans on Saturday, 17 February at the Stade Boubker Aamar in Sale.

Kickoff is at 14h30 (16h30 SA Time).

Dludlu has kept faith in the squad that featured in the first round of qualifiers against Botswana and also in the first leg of the second round where they defeated Morocco 5-1.

But she has had to leave behind six players because of the required numbers: goalkeeper Gugulethu Pitso (Blue Birds FC); defender Tatiana Christedis (JVW FC); midfielder Chloe Valkin (Wanderers FC) and forwards Thembelihle Masibi (De’Scorpions) as well as Isabella Ludwig (Randburg FC).

“We are very excited about the second leg going to Morocco. The team we have selected for this trip has been part of the qualifiers from the onset and we are positive they will do the business,” said Dludlu.

Also missing out on the trip is midfielder Karabo Dlamini, who was red-carded in the clash against Morocco at the Dobsonville Stadium.

“The team has been affected by the red card to Karabo, but we are also looking forward to picking the best players from the bench that will represent us well in that match. We made sure that we bring in a squad of players that all capable of raising their hands and represent us well on the field because we don’t build our game around one player but we need all the players to have the confidence to run with the baton when selected to do a job,” added Dludlu.

“We have a vision – and that is to play as a team, to have the same responsibilities and the same performance from whoever is in the team on the day. I am also happy that we don’t have injuries that will change our game, because these can affect your plans on the day, starting with preparations, especially approaching such a crucial match. In all of these, we must all remember that we are learning and growing as a team and becoming better with every game.”

Bantwana assemble for camp on Friday, 9 February and are expected to jet out to Morocco on Tuesday, 13 February.

In other 2018 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualfiers, Ghana host Djibouti (Ghana won 9-0 in the first leg), while Nigeria will visit Cameroon (they finished with a 2-2 draw in the first leg).

Winners of second round will represent Africa at final tournament scheduled for 13 November – 1 December 2018 in Uruguay.

2ND ROUND 2ND LEG FIXTURES:

Saturday, 17 February 2018

Morocco vs South Africa

Stade Boubker Aamar

Sale

Morocco

14h30 (16h30 SA Time)

 

Saturday, 17 February 2018

Cameroon vs Nigeria

Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo

Yaounde

 

Sunday, 18 February 2018

Ghana vs Djibouti

Cape Coast Stadium

Cape Coast

Ghana

SA U17 WOMEN’S NATIONAL TEAM TO FACE MOROCCO 2nd Leg:

GOALKEEPERS:

1. Kaydee WINDVOGEL HPC
2. Leigh BROPHY UNIVERSITY OF CT
3. Mananki MAKHOANA SHINNING MOVERS
DEFENDERS:
4. Yenzokuhle NGUBANE SUNFLOWER WFC
5. Lonathemba MHLONGO Tottenham FC
6. Kaylin JORDAN HPC/SPURS FC
7. Yolanda NDULI SUNFLOWER WFC
8. Fikile MAGAMA HEROES UNITED
9. Cynthia MAKETE ALL for 1
MIDFIELDERS:
10. Oratile MOKWENA SUNDOWNS FC
11. Zethembiso VILAKAZI LINDELANI FC
12. Miche MINNIES SANTOS FC
13. Jessica WADE JVW
14. Thubelihle SHAMASE SUNFLOWER WFC
15. Khunjulwa MALI HPC
16. Sibulele HOLWENI HPC
17. Sphumelele SHAMASE SUNFLOWER WFC
18. Micaela NUNES JVW FC
FORWARDS:
19. Thambolinye MZONELI SUNFLOWER WFC
20. Nicole MICHAEL University of Johannesburg