Banyana our source of inspiration
BANYANA BANYANA are proving to be a source of hope and inspiration in South African football and nobody can deny that. They did it again on Monday in Dakar in Senegal at the Caf awards.
Thembi Kgatlana scooped two gongs at the prestigious awards, while Desiree Ellis walked away with the Coach of the Year award. Kgatlana, who is plying her trade in the United State for Houston Dash, bagged the Women’s Player of the Year and the Goal of the Year (a stunner she netted against Nigeria during the group stages of the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations last year).
Banyana were also runners-up at Awcon in Ghana as they succumbed to Nigeria in the final on penalties. They also lifted the Cosafa Cup.
Safa’s acting chief executive, Russell Paul, is appealing to sponsors to come on board and drive forward the rise of Banyana and women’s football.
“I sent Thembi and the coach a message to congratulate them for their achievements. They did us proud. It was really great to see them winning those awards,” Paul said.
“On behalf of the Safa president Dr Danny Jordaan, the Safa NEC, the entire Safa membership and staff, I take this opportunity to congratulate you both on a wonderful achievement in recognition of your efforts during 2018! For you coach Ellis, the Caf Women’s Coach of the Year award must take pride of place in your years of commitment to the game, as you served your country with pride and distinction as a player, and you have carried this forward now as a coach from the touchline.
“What makes your award special is the fact that you competed as the only female against male counterparts and came out on top.
“As for you Thembi, you are making the world your playing field, as you continue to score awards recognising your talent at every level and facet of the game. Your eye for the gap and your nifty speed has made you an elusive striker, causing havoc for many a defence.”
Banyana will face the Netherlands and Sweden in two friendlies as they prepare for the World Cup in France later this year. Both matches will be played at Cape Town Stadium. Banyana will first face the Netherlands next Saturday and before tackling Sweden on 22 January.
“We are doing as much as we can. We are not feeling any pressure. We are investing R70million a year in women’s football. We are trying our best with the money coming from the coffers of Safa. Sasol is also doing a great job, but another co-operate companies must come to the part. We need them to achieve our objectives,” Paul said.
Kgatlana’s meteoric rise has been sensational. She also finished up as the top goalscorer at Awcon with five strikes, while collecting the Player of the Tournament award.
“Last year we made sure that Banyana plays tough opponents. They played against Sweden and Chile. We will also play Holland, USA and Sweden. We are doing this because we don’t want them to add number in the World Cup. We planned these friendlies (a) long time ago. We knew they were going to qualify,” Paul said.
Banyana will face Spain, Germany and China in Group A at the World Cup. Meanwhile, Banyana coach Ellis named a squad of 26 players for a training camp yesterday to kick-start preparations for the World Cup from 7 June to 7 July. Ellis has kept the bulk of the team that did duty at Awcon. | ANA Banyana Banyana squad to face the Netherlands and Sweden: Andile Dlamini, Kaylin Swart, Roxanne Barker, Victoria Muroa, Lebogang Ramalepe, Nothando Vilakazi, Janine Van Wyk, Noko Matlou, Bambanani Mbane, Tiisetso Makhubela, Koketso Tlailane, Karabo Dhlamini, Mamello Makhabane, Leandra Smeda, Nompumelelo Nyandeni, Linda Motlhalo, Busisiwe Ndimeni, Refiloe Jane, Molatelo Sebata, Kholosa Biyana, Jermaine Seoposenwe, Thembi Kgatlana, Kelso Peskin, Amanda Mthandi, Hildah Magaia, Rhoda Malaudzi.