28 November 2022 – National Under 17 women’s national team coach, Delisilwe Mbatha, said her players are fired up and looking forward to doing well in the upcoming COSAFA Cup u/17 tournament that kicks off in Malawi on Thursday.

Bantwana arrived in Malawi on Monday and quickly got down to business in preparation for their opening Group A encounter against hosts Malawi on Thursday, (1 December 2022).

Coach Mbatha said the girls had a good workout during their camp in South Africa before flying out.

‘’We had a very good training camp at Fun Valley for the whole week. The girls are fit, they are young, skilful and we are looking forward to a great COSAFA tournament,’’ she said.

Despite a long and winding journey that saw the team fly from Johannesburg to Nairobi before connecting to Malawi, the coach said the girls were well prepared, positive and their spirit was sky high.

Bantwana will kick off their campaign with a match against hosts Malawi on Thursday before engaging Mauritius in their Group A matches.

‘’We are determined to go through to the group stages and it would be nice to finish top in our group so that we face second-placed side in Group B. We want to go all the way and bring the trophy home,’’ said Mbatha.

She said between today and Thursday, they will concentrate on the tactical awareness just for the girls to get used to each other more.

‘’We played friendly matches against SASOL sides and already the girls showed character by winning both friendly matches. We beat Diepkloof Ladies 3-1, a very formidable side and the second game was against Home Sweepers from Springs who we beat 4-1, so there are lots of positives in the team.

‘’They are really looking good and I am sure this is the team for the future and we want to make South Africa proud,’’ concluded Mbatha.