Bantwana national U17 women’s football head coach Simphiwe Dludlu has announced a squad of 20 players that will travel to Morocco for the second leg second round of the 2018 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup.
Bantwana will face the North Africans on Saturday, 17 February at the Stade Boubker Aamar in Sale with kick-off 4.30pm SA time.
Dludlu has kept faith in the squad that featured in the first round of qualifiers against Botswana and also in the first leg of the second round where they defeated Morocco 5-1.
Should Bantwana emerge triumphant they’ll be representing the rainbown nation at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Uruguay later this year.
But she has had to leave behind six players because of the required numbers: goalkeeper Gugulethu Pitso (Blue Birds FC); defender Tatiana Christedis (JVW FC); midfielder Chloe Valkin (Wanderers FC) and forwards Thembelihle Masibi (De’Scorpions) as well as Isabella Ludwig (Randburg FC).
‘We’re very excited about the second leg going to Morocco. The team we have selected for this trip has been part of the qualifiers from the onset and we are positive they will do the business,’ said Dludlu.
Also missing out on the trip is midfielder Karabo Dlamini, who was red-carded in the clash against Morocco at the Dobsonville Stadium.
‘The team have been affected by the red card to Karabo, but we are also looking forward to picking the best players from the bench that will represent us well in that match.
‘We made sure that we bring in a squad of players who all capable of raising their hands and represent us well on the field because we don’t build our game around one player but we need all the players to have the confidence to run with the baton when selected to do a job,’ added Dludlu.
‘We have a vision – and that is to play as a team, to have the same responsibilities and the same performance from whoever is in the team on the day. I’m also happy that we don’t have injuries that will change our game, because these can affect your plans on the day, starting with preparations, especially approaching such a crucial match. In all of these, we must all remember that we are learning and growing as a team and becoming better with every game.’
Bantwana assemble for camp on Friday, 9 February and are expected to jet out to Morocco on Tuesday, 13 February.
In other 2018 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualfiers, Ghana host Djibouti (Ghana won 9-0 in the first leg), while Nigeria will visit Cameroon (they finished with a 2-2 draw in the first leg).
The squad to travel to Morocco is:
Goalkeepers: Kayde Windvogel, Leigh Brophy, Mananki Makhoana
Defenders: Yenzokuhle Ngubane, Lonathemba Mhlongo, Kaylin Jordan, Yolanda Nduli, Fikile Magama, Cynthia Makete
Midfielders: Oratile Mokwena, Zethembiso Vilakazi, Miche Minnies, Jessica Wade, Thubelihle Shamase, Khunjulwa Mali, Sibuelele Holweni Sphumelele Shamase, Micaela Nunes
Forwards: Thambolinye Mzoneli, Nicole Michael