Young Mthatha City star set for Bantwana debut against Italy

MTHATHA City’s striker Qaqamba Ngqangashe wants to make a lasting impression when she makes her debut for the South African U17 women’s national team (Bantwana) set to play an international friendly against Italy this month.

Bantwana are busy preparing for the 2018 Fifa U17 Women’s World Cup’s qualifying tournament after having progressed to the second- and final-round qualifiers after defeating neighbours Botswana 6-4 at the Dobsonville Stadium last month.

Ngqangashe, 14, said making it into the top-25 players who were selected at the national playoffs in September, gave her a sense of fulfilment.

“I was so excited when I got the news that I had made the team after competing against 45 good players.

“I had put in a lot of hard work as playing soccer is my life and representing my country is a dream come true – this is really huge for me.”

The Mthatha-born soccer marvel was scouted two years ago by the High Performance Centre (HPC) in Pretoria where she will be doing her Grade 9 and now she wants to implement what she has learnt over the past year at school when she plays against Italy.

“I’ve learnt so much at the HPC and they have made me a better player .

“I want to learn frommy mistakes when we play that game, so when we play the final round of qualifiers [Fifa U17 Women’s World Cup], I know what to do.”

Bantwana last qualified for the tournament in 2010 when it was held in Trinidad and Tobago.

They will face Morocco on the weekend of February 2 to 4, with the return leg scheduled for the weekend of February 15 to 16.

The overall winner will be one of three representatives from the African continent at the World Cup tournament which will be held in Uruguay, South America from November 20 to December 13.

The line-up includes: Kaydee Windvogel (GK) (Leigh Brophy), Yolanda Nduli (Fikile Magama), Tatiana Christedis, Yenzokuhle Ngubane, Kaylin Jordaan (capt), Karabo Dlamini, Thambolinye Mzoneli, Oratile Mokwena, Spumelele Shamase, Thubelihle Shamase, Miche Minnies (Khunjulwa Mali). Substitutes: Leigh Brophy (GK), Micaela Nunens, Cynthia Makete, Chloe Valkin, Fikile Magama, Khunjulwa Mali, Thembelihle Masibi. the