Banyana Banyana in Durban to officially launch historic Jamaica clash

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]Head coach of the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana, Desiree Ellis was today in Durban to officially launch the historic clash against Jamaica in an international friendly match set for Sunday, 7 April 2019 at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

Kickoff is at 15h00.

Accompanied by, amongst others, the President of the South African Football Association (SAFA) Dr Danny Jordaan, as well as Deputy Mayor of eThekwini Municipality, Fawzia Peer, Ellis also took the opportunity to announce the squad that will face the Reggae Girlz.

The former Banyana Banyana captain kept the bulk of the squad that has been doing business for her since the 2018 COSAFA Women’s Championship last year – but she brought six new faces that did not participate in the 2018 Cyprus Women’s Cup.

Rachel Sebati (TUT-PTA), Ode Fulutudilu (Malaga, Spain) and Jessica Williams (Spurs WFC, CT) get a recall after being in and out of the squad in recent times.

Ellis has also given a chance for a look-in to Sibulele Holweni (HPC), who was the captain of the U17 Women’s National Team in the World Cup in Uruguay, as well as Yonela Ketu (Thunderbirds FC, Port Elizabeth) and Bongeka Gumede (TUT-PTA).

“We are in the final stages of our preparations and as you can see, there is not much tampering with the squad – the core is still there, and we feel we still have a chance to try out a few players to see what they can offer,” said Ellis.

“We were in Cyprus recently and we saw and learnt a lot there and we are happy with the squad at the moment. We can just have see what the new faces have to offer and take it from there, but we are almost close to finalising the World Cup.”

Ellis is also excited to be facing fellow debutants at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Jamaica, and looks forward to the match.
“We have had tough European opponents in the last few weeks, and we are glad to be facing a team with a different style because the main aim of this match is World Cup preparations, and that will help a great deal,” added Ellis.

“What makes this extra special is that this is a farewell match, it is the first time we are both going to the World Cup and it also the first time we are playing them – so there is a lot to play for. We urge our South African fans, who have been behind us since day one, to continue with the support and come in numbers to enjoy the celebration to us.”

The historic clash, which will serve as a part of preparations for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in June in France, will take place on Sunday, 7 April 2019.

The two countries share some similarities – both are going to the World Cup for the first time ever, they are meeting for the first time, and also their male counterparts went to France for their first World Cup tournaments.

Jamaica is ranked 53rdin the world with South Africa five spots ahead at 48.

Banyana Banyana will be playing in their last fixture on home soil before taking part in the World Cup – so the clash against Jamaica will also be used as a farewell match.

“We are extremely proud of this team – they have made history, and thereby raising a lot of awareness for Women’s Football. You would have seen that this plan did not start today, some of the players in the squad were at the High Performance Centre in Pretoria and today they are world stars,” said SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan.

“It shows that with consistant clear plans, we can go far as a country and the good thing about this squad is that there is a succession plan with all the youngsters included. We can only thank our proud sponsor Sasol for the long journey they have travelled with us to get here – if it wasn’t for them, we wouldn’t be this far. We also urge other corporate companies to join in and be part of this great movement of growing women’s football.”

Nozipho Mbatha, representing Sasol, was quite excited at the progess Banyana Banyana has made over the years since their involvement.
“It has indeed been a long journey, but one that was worth it. Our aim was to fuel women’s football in this country, and I must admit that we got more than we bargained for. Banyana Banyana have really made us proud and we couldn’t be more pleased that after all our assistance, today we are heading to greatest and biggest stage for any player – the World Cup. When we look back, we have to admit that we are glad we travelled this long and sometimes difficult, but most successful road with them,” said Mbatha.

eThekwini City Municipality was equally elated to welcome Banyana Banyana to Durban for this celebration match.
“As the Municipality we have made great strides in creating a conducive environment for women football to flourish especially at the grass root level. Our significant investment to women football resulted in the City leadership taking a resolution a long time ago that women must get equal opportunities and treatment as their male counterparts in all sporting codes,” said Peer.

“It was this resolution that sponsored our decision to stop sending the boys team to the One Nations Cup. We were of the view, now that our boys have had an opportunity to be part of the competition for more than three times, it was now a turn for our little girls to be exposed to international competitions. This was aimed at ensuring that women football is further developed in the region,” said Peer.

It has been eight years since Banyana Banyana last played in Durban.

The last time they were in the City they faced Tunisia in a London 2012 Olympic qualifier at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi – a match they won 3-0 under former coach Joseph Mkhonza. Some of the players who played in that squad are current captain Janine van Wyk, Noko Matlou, Nompumelelo Nyandeni, Nothando Vilakazi, Andile Dlamini and a young Jermiane Seoposenwe.

This is the first time the iconic Moses Mabhida will be hosting Banyana Banyana.

The match also coincides with the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup trophy tour which will be taking place in Durban during that period.

The squad will assemble in Durban on Monday, 1 April 2012 in Durban.

Banyana Banyana’s next assigment after Jamaica will be against world champions USA on Sunday, 12 May 2019 at the Levi Stadium in Santa Clara, California (South of San Francisco).

At the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, South Africa has been drawn in Group B alongside Spain, Germany and China.

BANYANA BANYANA SQUAD vs JAMAICA – INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY MATCH

NAME AND SURNAME POSITION CLUB LOCATION PROVINCE
 

1. Andile DLAMINI

 

GK

 

Mamelodi Sundowns FC

 

Pretoria

 

GAUTENG

 

2. Kaylin SWART

 

GK

 

Awaiting Transfer

 

Port Elizabeth

 

EASTERN CAPE

 

3. Jessica WILLIAMS

 

GK

 

Spurs WFC

 

Cape Town

 

CAPE TOWN

 

4. Lebogang RAMALEPE

 

DF

 

Ma-Indies FC

 

Polokwane

 

LIMPOPO

 

5. Nothando VILAKAZI

 

DF

 

Palace Super Falcons FC

 

Johannesburg

 

GAUTENG

 

6. Janine VAN WYK

 

DF

 

Awaiting Transfer

 

Johannesburg

 

GAUTENG

 

7. Noko MATLOU

 

DF

 

Ma-Indies FC

 

Polokwane

 

LIMPOPO

 

8. Bambanani MBANE

 

DF

 

Bloemfontein Celtic FC

 

Bloemfontein

 

FREE STATE

 

9. Tiisetso MAKHUBELA

 

DF

 

Mamelodi Sundowns FC

 

Pretoria

 

GAUTENG

 

10. Bongeka GAMEDE

 

DF

 

UWC

 

Cape Town

 

Western Cape

 

11. Karabo DHLAMINI

 

DF

 

Mamelodi Sundowns FC

 

Pretoria

 

GAUTENG

 

12. Yonela KETO

 

DF

 

Thunderbirds FC

 

Port Elizabeth

 

EASTERN CAPE

 

13.Mamello MAKHABANE

 

MF

 

JVW FC

 

Johannesburg

 

GAUTENG

 

14. Leandra SMEDA

 

MF

 

Vittsjo GIK

 

SWEDEN

 

15. Nompumelelo NYANDENI

 

MF

 

JVW FC

 

Johannesburg

 

GAUTENG

 

16. Linda MOTLHALO

 

MF

 

Beijing BG Phoenix FC

 

Beijing

 

CHINA

 

17. Busisiwe NDIMENI

 

MF

 

TUT-PTA

 

Pretoria

 

GAUTENG

 

18. Refiloe JANE

 

MF

 

Canberra United

 

Canberra

 

AUSTRALIA

 

19. Rachel SEBATI

 

MF

 

TUT-PTA

 

Pretoria

 

LIMPOPO

 

20. Kholosa BIYANA

 

MF

 

UKZN

 

Durban

 

KWA ZULU NATAL

 

21. Sibulele HOLWENI

 

MF

 

Sophakama/HPC

 

Port Elizabeth

 

EASTERN CAPE

 

22. Jermaine SEOPOSENWE

 

FW

 

JVW FC

 

Johannesburg

 

GAUTENG

 

23. Thembi KGATLANA

 

FW

 

Beijing BG Phoenix FC

 

Beijing

 

CHINA

 

24. Amanda MTHANDI

 

FW

 

University of Johannesburg

 

Johannesburg

 

GAUTENG

25. Rhoda MULAUDZI FW Canberra united Canberra AUSTRALIA
 

26. Ode FULUTUDILU

 

FW

 

Malaga FC

 

SPAIN

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