Safa touring SA for talent

THE JOURNEY of unearthing the next generation of South African women footballers continued this past weekend in Bloemfontein where a number of young female footballers were identified by the Safa women’s technical team.

Talent was identified for the Safa High Performance Centre, the South African Under-17 girls national team (Bantwana) and the South African Under-20 women’s national team (Basetsana).

A total of 140 players assembled at the Manguang Outdoor Centre to raise their hands for a place in the team.

Acting Under-17 girls national team coach Simphiwe Dludlu, alongside Maud Khumalo and Banyana Banyana Goalkeeper Coach Cameron Cox, were among the talent-identifiers present at the venue.

Local scout Martha Malaku was also present to assist in talent identification.

“We had a great weekend in Bloemfontein and the turnout was wonderful. There were many girls from academies and the schools, which shows that there is development in our regions,” said Dludlu.

“It is important to mention that although we did find talent, these young girls do not play any competitive football; therefore we have to instil a mentality of competitiveness in them.”

National team selections will now move to Mpumalanga this coming weekend, at the Themba Sinamela Stadium in Mhluzi, Middelburg. Young girls wishing to join the trails are welcome to attend today and tomorrow.

Registration will commence at 8.30am, while Under-13 trails will begin at 9am, followed by Under-17 and Under-20 at 11am.

Safa’s assistant Technical Director, Fran Hilton-Smith emphasised the importance of this exercise, saying that it will benefit the Under-20 Women’s national team ahead of their Fifa World Cup qualifier against Namibia next month.

“The Under-20 Women’s National team will be active against Namibia next month for their first World Cup qualifier and we need to have sourced the best talent from all nine provinces, which the coaches are trying to do,” said HiltonSmith. – ANA