Banyana Keen on Debut AWC Win

Coach Joseph Mkhonza with his coaching team pose with members of the 21-player Banyana Banyana squad at the national training camp in Johannesburg, on October, 2012. Mkhonza takes the national women’s football team to the hot climatic conditions in Yaoundé, Cameroon for preparations ahead of the AWC, which start in Malabo against hosts Equatorial Guinea on 28 October. Photo: gsport

Banyana Banyana head coach Joseph Mkhonza has called up Durban Ladies striker Silindile Ngubane and High Performance Centre (Tshwane) goalkeeper Katlego Moletsane to the national senior women’s team that will do duty at the 8th CAF African Women Championship 2012 in Equatorial Guinea from 28 October to 11 November.

Ngubane, who found the back of the net on 11 occasion for Durban Ladies at the SASOL League National Championships held in Umlazi, near Durban in July, and goalkeeper Moletsane – back-up for regular No 1 Thoko Mndaweni and young Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies (SASOL League Gauteng) goalkeeper Andile Dlamini, are a part of the 21 names announced by the coach at SAFA House, Nasrec on Tuesday, 9 October 2012.

The SASOL-sponsored Banyana Banyana have been drawn in Group A and will face hosts Equatorial Guinea the island city of Malabo on 28 October 28 before encountering Senegal also in Malabo on 31 October, before travelling to Bata for their encounter with DR Congo on 3 November.

A good run of form will see the South Africans play in the semi-finals in either Malabo or Bata on 7 November, with the 3rd/4th place playoff and the title decider both scheduled for Malabo on 11 November.

By 11 November Banyana Banyana could well have two new centurions in their midst, with inspirational midfielder Nompumelelo Nyandeni going to Equatorial Guinea on 96 caps and striker Portia Modise on 95 caps (having scored 72 goals for her country).

Experienced University of Johannesburg Ladies (SASOL League Gauteng) midfielder Yola Jafta returns to the Banyana Banyana team after missing the London Olympics due to injury.

“Banyana Banyana finished third at the CAF African Women Championship held in Ekurhuleni, near Johannesburg two years ago, and the ladies are determined to finish 2012 on a high note after having represented Africa at the Olympic Games in London,” said coach Mkhonza.

“Thanks to SAFA and our team sponsor SASOL, we have been able to allow the players to be put through their paces in national training camps in Johannesburg this month, before we head off to prepare the team in hot climatic conditions in Yaoundé, Cameroon from October 17 to 25.”

Thereafter, the national team will depart Cameroon for Malabo to conclude their final preparations for the African women’s football showpiece event.

In congratulating the Banyana Banyana players on their selection, SAFA CEO Robin Petersen said: “The selection of Silindile Ngubane to the Banyana Banyana team is a sign of the importance of the SASOL League and the SASOL League National Championships as a feeder of talent to the national side, and I would like to welcome her, as well as goalkeeper Katlego Moletsane, to the national team.”

“May Banyana Banyana bring further pride to our football-crazy country as they look improve on their second-place position they achieved in Equatorial Guinea, four years ago, by winning the tournament and bettering their both their CAF and FIFA rankings.” Banyana Banyana are currently ranked 56th in the world and 4th in Africa.

SASOL Sponsorship Specialist, Football, Dumisani Mbokane added: “SASOL has watched with pride at the journey that the Banyana Banyana have made during our company’s four year sponsorship of the national senior women’s team, and we are pleased to work hand in hand with SAFA in creating platforms for the empowerment of women through football, which we view as a core part of nation building.”

 

Banyana Banyana team:
Goalkeepers:
Thokozile Mndaweni (University of Johannesburg, Gauteng)
Andile Dlamini (Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies, Gauteng)
Katlego Moletsane (High Performance Centre, Tshwane)
Defenders:
Nothando Vilakazi (Palace Super Falcons, Gauteng)
Amanda Sister (Liverpool Ladies, Eastern Cape)
Janine van Wyk (v.c) (Palace Super Falcons, Gauteng)
Zamandosi Cele (Durban Ladies, KwaZulu Natal)
Refiloe Jane (Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies, Gauteng)
Lebogang Mabatle (Hallelujah Zebra Force, Gauteng)
Midfielders:
Leandra Smeda (Cape Town Roses, Western Cape)
Nocawe Skiti (Cape Town Roses, Western Cape)
Amanda Dlamini (c) (University of Johannesburg, Gauteng)
Gabisile Hlumbane (Kovsies Ladies, Free State)
Yola Jafta (University of Johannesburg, Gauteng)
Nompumelelo Nyandeni (FC Rossiyanka, Russia)
Strikers:
Noko Matlou (University of Johannesburg, Gauteng)
Portia Modise (Palace Super Falcons, Gauteng)
Andiswe Mgcoyi (Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies, Gauteng)
Silindile Ngubane (Durban Ladies, KwaZulu Natal)
Sanah Mollo (Bloemfontein Celtics Ladies, Free State)
Jermaine Seoposenwe (Santos, Western Cape)
 
Please Rate this Post

0 ratings, 0 votes0 ratings, 0 votes (0 rating, 0 votes, rated)
You need to be a registered member to rate this.
Loading...

New Report

Close