7 March 2020 – Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana have concluded preparations for their international friendly match against Lesotho that wil take place on Sunday, 8 March at Tsakane Stadium.
Kickoff is at 15h00, and entry is free.
This will be South Africa’s first match of year.
The squad will be led by defender Lebohang Ramalepe – for the first time ever – with the absence of regular captain Janine van Wyk and vice captain Refiloe Jane, who have not been called up for this match.
Ramalepe has played 74 times for her country and is excited about the wearing the captain’s armband.
“This is something I have always wished for, something I am realy looking forward to. Kickoff time can’t come soon enough for me to get this show on the road,” said an excited Ramalepe.
“I remember I once grabbed the armband from Jane and wore it for just a few seconds and I made myslf a promise that someday I will wear this in an official capacity, now that time has arrived.”
With FIFA Women’s World Cup, and several AFCON tournaments experience, she is well aware that it will not be an easy task – more so because she is one of the elders in the current squad, and knows she will need help from the other experienced players.
“The squad that has been selected now consists mainly of new faces, and it will be up to us – the likes of Andile Dlamini (who will be vice-captain), Mamello Makhabane, Rhoda Mulaudzi, Hilda Magaia, Tiisetso Makhubela, Robyn Moodaly and some few others to lead by example because we have been in the set-up for a while,” added Ramalepe.
“That means we have a huge responsibility on our shoulders to guide the team and also focus on our tasks on the field.”
About the opposition, the defender said they have done all they could during the week to be ready for their neighbours.
“It is a fact that every country that plays us, especially from our COSAFA region, always come out with guns blazing, and I believe Lesotho will be no different. We just have to focus on our roles as we practiced them during our sessions and we will come out on top,” said Ramalepe.
“This is our first match of the year, with a couple of new faces, so we will need to gel quickly so they don’t punish us and we end up on the wrong side of the result. But I have confidence in my teammates and the coaching staff that we will do well.”
The clash against Lesotho also marks a 50th national team appearance for Dlamini.