9 May 2019 – Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana wasted no time in getting down to business upon arrival in Santa Clara, California, USA.
The South Africans arrived in the early hours of Wednesday morning (05h00) following a 31-hour travel that included a 10-hour stopover in New York.
Banyana Banyana are in the country to face the host nation in an international friendly match scheduled for Sunday, 12 May 2019 at the Levi Stadium.
Both sides are using this encounter to prepare for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, which will be played in France from 7 June and 7 July.
Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis has selected a squad of 23 players that includes Spain-based Ode Fuludutilu, Nomvula Kgoale who is based in the USA as well as Nothando Vilakazi who plies her trade in Lithuania – the trio met up with the squad in the USA.
“It was a indeed a long travel, and after a good night’s rest we are getting down to business because we know the task at hand. We are playing a well-polished team in the form of the USA and we need to be at our best as this is our penultimate match before we kickoff the World Cup tournament,” said Banyana Banyana captain Janine van Wyk.
“The good thing about the long and heavy travel is that it is preparing for the rigorous experience that we will be facing in France – even though it will not be at this scale – but it is just a taste of what is to come, and we are glad we went through it.”
Just after the USA fixture, Banyana Banyana have secured another friendly against Norway to conclude their preparations.
This first ever meeting between the two nations will take place on Sunday, 2 June 2019 at Stade Moulonguet in Amiens, France.
Kickoff is at 20h00.
Norway has been to seven FIFA Women’s World Cup tournaments in a row, and France 2019 will be their 8thappearance.
The Europeans are ranked 12thin the world, and 6that UEFA.
The 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup will be held in France from 7 June to 7 July.
South Africa has been drawn against Spain, China PR and Germany.
Banyana Banyana Squad vs USA
Goalkeepers:
| 1. Andile Dlamini | Mamelodi Sundowns FC | Johannesburg |
| 2. Kaylin Swart | Golden Stars | Port Elizabeth |
| 3. Mapaseka Mpuru | University of Pretoria | Pretoria |
Defenders:
| 4. Nothando Vilakazi | FC Gintra Universitetas | Lithuania |
| 5. Noko Matlou | Ma–Indies FC | Polokwane |
| 6. Janine Van Wyk | JVW FC | Johannesburg |
| 7. Bambanani Mbane | Bloemfontein Celtic | Bloemfontein |
| 8. Lebohang Ramalepe | Ma-Indies | Polokwane |
| 9. Bongeka Gamede | University of Western Cape | Cape Town |
| 10. Tiisetso Makhubela | Mamelodi Sundowns FC | Johannesburg |
Midfielders:
| 11. Refiloe Jane | Unattached | |
| 12. Mamello Makhabane | JVW FC | Johannesburg |
| 13. Kholosa Biyana | UKZN | Durban |
| 14. Busisiwe Ndimeni | Pretoria University | Pretoria |
| 15. Nompumelelo Nyandeni | JVW FC | Johannesburg |
| 16. Karabo Dhlamini | Mamelodi Sundowns FC | Johannesburg |
| 17. Sibulele Holweni | Sophokama Ladies/HPC | Port Elizabeth |
| 18. Ongeziwe Dlangisa | Durban University of Technology | Durban |
| 19. Mapula Nomvula Kgoale | Louisiana Tech University | USA |
Forwards:
| 20. Rhoda Mulaudzi | Unattached | |
| 21. Jermaine Seopsenwe | FC Gintra Universitetas | Lithuania |
| 22. Amanda Mthandi | University of Johannesburg | Johannesburg |
| 23. Ode Fulutudilu | Malaga FC | Spain |