24 October 2018 –South Africa’s National Under-17 Women’s squad (Bantwana) went for a Pre-Competition Medical Assessment (PCMA) test in Pretoria on Tuesday (23 October 2018) leading up to this year’s FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup set to take place in Uruguay.
The medical assessment which is to be conducted by all national teams that will participate at the FIFA World is a mandatory requirement.
The PCMA test is to help avoid any health issues which might occur on players.
Bantwana’s team doctor, Dr Monica Molatlhegi said the PCMA tests were very crucial for any player to go through, as this will help them assess who is fit to travel with the team to Uruguay.
The Under-17 Women’s World Cup will run from 13 November to 1 December 2018.
“We came here to Pretoria to see Dr Martin Mpe who conducted a Pre-Competition Medical Assessment on our players before we jet off to Uruguay this coming weekend,” Dr Molatlhegi said. “It is a mandatory requirement that all national teams set to participate in this world event, should go through this medical assessment before the tournament starts.
“The PCMA test comprises of cholesterol and sugar tests. It also looks at the red blood cells to check whether our players are anaemic or not. These series of tests are important because they help us to see whether a player is fit to travel and compete in the upcoming international football tournament or not.
Dr. Molatlhegi added: “The technical team will also be made aware of this medical report to help them make right decisions regarding which player to take to Uruguay and which player is to remain behind.”
Meanwhile, Bantwana coach Simphiwe Dludlu, will name her final 21 women squad on Wednesday (24 October 2018) that is to compete in the upcoming FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup.
Bantwana are in Group B and will lock horns with Mexico, Japan and Brazil in pursuit of reaching the knockout stages for the first time ever since their participation in this tournament.
This will count as Bantwana’s second appearance on the world event, after having done so back in 2010 in the Trinidad and Tobago edition.