28 October 2020 – South African under-17 women’s national team coach Simphiwe Dludlu has announced her 20-woman squad to represent South Africa at the 2020 Under-17 COSAFA Women’s Championship scheduled for Port Elizabeth from 4-14 November 2020.

Dludlu who is going to her second COSAFA championship in charge of Bantwana, is confident of an improved display on home turf to make up for the 2019 edition in Mauritius where they lost to Uganda in the title decider.

The 20-woman squad includes familiar faces in the form of Jessica Wade, Nduli Yolanda and Nkhuna Nkateko who were part of coach Dludlu’s team that represented South Africa at the 2018 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Uruguay.  

After their practice match against the senior national women’s team coach which they lost 1-0, Dludlu was full of praise of her players on how they copied with the game pressure.

“When you go to COSAFA you find players that are bigger and stronger and our practice game against Banyana Banyana gave us that resistance and we wanted to see how they behave and analyse their mental strength. We still have some work to do but I am happy with my squad selection.”

South Africa will open their COSAFA Cup championship campaign against Zambia on November 4 before taking on Zimbabwe two days later, Tanzania on November 8 and will conclude their group stage against Comoros on November 12.

South Africa Under-17 Squad

GOALKEEPERS: Karabo Mohale, Manana Myeki

DEFENDERS:     Mihle Lumko, Hlela Philisani, Nkateko Nkhuna, Shannon Macomo, Thimna Mphele, Flora Khosa, Yolanda Nduli

MIDFIELDERS:  Jessica Wade, Janica Andrews, Nabeelah Galant, Aliyaah Allie, Lithemba Sam Sam, Cimone Sauls

STRIKERS:  Oyisa Marhasi, Kananelo Taiwe, Jade Leask, Ronnel Donnelly, Tyler Scott

Coach: Simphiwe Dludlu