1 Aprl 2019 – The Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana has arrived in Durban ahead of their much-anticipated international friendly match against fellow World Cup debutants Jamaica.
The historic clash, which is also a farewell game for the South African Senior Women’s National Team as this is their final fixture on home soil before they head to the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, will take place on Sunday, 7 April 2019 at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
Kickoff is at 15h00.
The squad will have their first training session on Tuesday morning (2 April) at the Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu – all the sessions will take place at the venue, save for the final one on Saturday, which will be held at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
“We are very excited to be in Durban, as you all know this is part of our World Cup preparations. We have a similar history with Jamaica – their men’s team qualified for their first FIFA World Cup in France in 1998, just like Bafana Bafana, now we also make our debut at the tournament just like their women’s national team, also in France, that is very exciting,” said Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis upon arrival in Durban.
“This is also a different type of game and an important one at that, as each and every match prepares you for the next one. The players are excited as it is 67 days away from the World Cup and it is getting closer and closer. Even though we have not been together, players have been training as we have given them programmes, and some have been playing matches and also tournaments. We will prepare well for the Sunday match as it is a farewell match, and we will put up a good showing.”
This will be the first time Banyana Banyana will play at the iconic Moses Mabhida Stadium, which played host to some matches at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
“This will be the second time we play at a World Cup Stadium, in Cape Town we got a lot of fans earlier this year, now it is your turn Durban to better that. We urge fans to come out in numbers to give a morale boost to this group of magnificent players, and hopefully we will give out not just a good result, but also a great performance as our farewell match. The last time we were here in this city was in 2011 qualifying for the London 2012 Olympics and we won against Tunisia.”
All the players are in camp except for Spain-based Ode Fulutudilu (Malaga FC), who is expected to report for national team duty on Tuesday.
Jamaica is ranked 53rdin the world with South Africa five spots ahead at 48.
The match also coincides with the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup trophy tour which will be taking place in Durban during that period.
Meanwhile, entry to the Moses Mabhida Stadium is free but fans will need tickets to gain entry into the venue – these can be obtained at Computicket outlets as well as Shoprite and Checkers stores.
BANYANA BANYANA SQUAD vs JAMAICA – INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY MATCH
| NAME AND SURNAME | POSITION | CLUB | LOCATION | PROVINCE | |||
|
1. Andile DLAMINI |
GK |
Mamelodi Sundowns FC |
Pretoria |
GAUTENG |
|||
|
2. Kaylin SWART |
GK |
Awaiting Transfer |
Port Elizabeth |
EASTERN CAPE |
|||
|
3. Jessica WILLIAMS |
GK |
Spurs WFC |
Cape Town |
CAPE TOWN |
|||
|
4. Lebogang RAMALEPE |
DF |
Ma-Indies FC |
Polokwane |
LIMPOPO |
|||
|
5. Nothando VILAKAZI |
DF |
Palace Super Falcons FC |
Johannesburg |
GAUTENG |
|||
|
6. Janine VAN WYK |
DF |
Awaiting Transfer |
Johannesburg |
GAUTENG |
|||
|
7. Noko MATLOU |
DF |
Ma-Indies FC |
Polokwane |
LIMPOPO |
|||
|
8. Bambanani MBANE |
DF |
Bloemfontein Celtic FC |
Bloemfontein |
FREE STATE |
|||
|
9. Tiisetso MAKHUBELA |
DF |
Mamelodi Sundowns FC |
Pretoria |
GAUTENG |
|||
|
10. Bongeka GAMEDE |
DF |
UWC |
Cape Town |
Western Cape |
|||
|
11. Karabo DHLAMINI |
DF |
Mamelodi Sundowns FC |
Pretoria |
GAUTENG |
|||
|
12. Yonela KETO |
DF |
Thunderbirds FC |
Port Elizabeth |
EASTERN CAPE |
|||
|
13.Mamello MAKHABANE |
MF |
JVW FC |
Johannesburg |
GAUTENG |
|||
|
14. Leandra SMEDA |
MF |
Vittsjo GIK |
SWEDEN |
||||
|
15. Nompumelelo NYANDENI |
MF |
JVW FC |
Johannesburg |
GAUTENG |
|||
|
16. Linda MOTLHALO |
MF |
Beijing BG Phoenix FC |
Beijing |
CHINA |
|||
|
17. Busisiwe NDIMENI |
MF |
TUT-PTA |
Pretoria |
GAUTENG |
|||
|
18. Refiloe JANE |
MF |
Awaiting Transfer |
|
|
|||
|
19. Rachel SEBATI |
MF |
TUT-PTA |
Pretoria |
LIMPOPO |
|||
|
20. Kholosa BIYANA |
MF |
UKZN |
Durban |
KWA ZULU NATAL |
|||
|
21. Sibulele HOLWENI |
MF |
Sophakama/HPC |
Port Elizabeth |
EASTERN CAPE |
|||
|
22. Jermaine SEOPOSENWE |
FW |
JVW FC |
Johannesburg |
GAUTENG |
|||
|
23. Thembi KGATLANA |
FW |
Beijing BG Phoenix FC |
Beijing |
CHINA |
|||
|
24. Amanda MTHANDI |
FW |
University of Johannesburg |
Johannesburg |
GAUTENG |
|||
| 25. Rhoda MULAUDZI | FW | Awaiting Transfer | |||||
|
26. Ode FULUTUDILU |
FW |
Malaga FC |
SPAIN |
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