15 September 2019 – Head coach of the South African U-17 Women’s National Team (Bantwana), Simphiwe Dludlu, is pleased with the way preparations for the team are going ahead of their inaugural COSAFA U-17 Women’s Championship that will take place in Mauritius later this month (20 –29 September).

Dludlu was speaking after her side thrashed a Soweto Select 6-0 in a practice match played at the Nike Football Training Centre in Pimville, Soweto –following two goals each from Oyisa Marhasi (21st& 24th) and Jessica Wade (28th–pen & 45 +), while second half substitutes Tiyana Carollissen (63rd) and Thando Sibanda (75th) also chipped in with one each.

The clash took place on Sunday, 15 September, and was the second victory for the South African U-17 Women’s National Team.

On Thursday they defeated JVW FC U-17 team 3-1.

“Considering this is a brand new team – save for about three players who were previously – Certainly we have improved and certainly there are areas where we needed to be tested unfortunately it didn’t happen. But I think our structure is quite clear and improving all the time, so that even if we get opponents that are not strong we should not have a problem of how we capitalise and still keep it simple and yet classy at the same time,”said Dludlu.

“But we got into the right areas and that makes me happy. Also, it was hot and where we are going we will face similar conditions, so it was good exposure for us to see how the girls will respond. And playing at 13h00 is not easy –but it’s all part of preparations and I believe we got what we wanted in terms of improving our game.”

Dludlu is building a new team, and has trimmed down her squad of 34 down to 20 players that will travel to Mauritius on Thursday, 19 September.

South Africa has been drawn in Group B alongside the Seychelles Island, Botswana and Madagascar.

 

Bantwana squad for 2019 COSAFA U-17 Womens Championship:

No. PLAYER’S NAME CLUB
GOALKEEPERS:
1. Karabo MOHALE High Performance Centre (Gauteng)
2. Luyanda SIBIYA     Sunflower FC   (KwaZulu Natal)
DEFENDERS
3. Mihle LUMKO High Performance Centre (Gauteng)
4. Shanon MACOMO High Performance Centre (Gauteng)
5. Ntateko NKHUNA Mams Ladies FC (Gauteng)
6. Shakira O’MALLEY High Performance Centre (Gauteng)
7. Olivia HARDIE Randburg FC (Gauteng)
8. Philisani HLELA Cape Town Roses FC (Western Cape)
9. Yolanda NDULI Sunflower FC (KwaZulu Natal)
MIDFIELDERS:
10. Jessica WADE JVW (Gauteng)
11. Thando SIBANDA Mito Stars FC (Gauteng)
12. Tiffany KORTJIE Golden Stars  (Eastern Cape)
13. Nelly GAMEDE Leandre Ladies FC (Mpumalanga)
14. Jolaine MOUERS Spurs FC (Western Cape)
15. Nabeelah GALANT University of Cape Town (Western Cape)
16. Sonika MZINGELI Cape Town Roses FC (Western Cape)
17. Tiyana CAROLLESSEN Vasco Da Gama FC (Western Cape)
STRIKERS:
18. Christy NOBLE High Performance Centre  (Gauteng)
19. Inathi MAKHAYI  Thunderbirds  FC (KwaZulu Natal)
20. Oyisa MARHAZI  Eluhulwini FC (Eastern Cape)