Tribute to martyr Imam Abdullah Haron tomorrow
Many South Africans remember the popular weekly Mailship service, once an integral part of the local economy. In a special feature tomorrow, Brian Ingpen recalls those memorable days
BambananiMBANE
BROKE into the Banyana squad back in 2015 after former Banyana coach, Vera Pauw, was impressed with how the now 27-yearold centre-back handled herself while playing for Bloemfontein Celtic Ladies in a friendly encounter against the national side. Following her first call-up, Mbane grew only stronger and recently, demonstrated just how mature she has become in the absence of the trusted Banyana skipper, Janine van Wyk, who was unavailable for selection for this regional tournament. What makes Mbane even more special is that she’s able to press forward to help out in the attacking third, while also not neglecting her defensive responsibilities. In the final against Zimbabwe, where Banyana won 2-1 to scoop their fourth Cosafa Women’s Championship, her performance saw her scoop the Player of the Match accolade. Mbane’s future involvement in the national team will also provide the required competition for likes of Van Wyk, who need to be kept at her toes.
NokoMATLOU
SHE WAS outstanding in keeping Zimbabwean striker, Rutendo Makore, quiet for a good part of the whole 90 minutes which saw Zimbabwe struggle massively without her not getting enough chances to strike her venomous shots towards goal. In that match, Matlou became Makore’s shadow. She followed her everywhere she went, and made clean tackles to dispossess the player when she was on the ball. And though age seems to be catching up with her – she turns 32 at the end of this month – Matlou has the required experience that Banyana needs as they endeavour to work towards qualifying for the Fifa Women’s World Cup in the coming year.
LeandraSMEDA
SHE played a massive role in helping Banyana bounce back from a 3-0 deficit in the semi-final clash against Zambia with her brace and see the national side progress to this year’s final following their 5-3 win on penalties. Against the hosts, Smeda created the first goal with a superb long ball to connect with Thembi Kgatlana, who scored the opener with her right foot, while Smeda also scored the winning goal in referee’s optional time with a stunning header. In this tournament, the 28-year-old winger from Velddrif, Western Cape, continued to prove why she remains part of the senior national team, even after the departure of coach after coach, thanks to her fighting spirit and her obsession of winning every match she plays in.
ThembiKGATLANA
DURING the group stages of this tournament, Kgatlana stated that she would love to walk away with the Player of the Tournament accolade, while the other aim was to scoop the winners’ medal once this championship came to an end. Kgatlana achieved both of those objectives thanks to the support of her teammates and the individual brilliance she put in in in the final third for the senior national women’ side. In this tournament, Kgatlana proved how much of a menace she could be against any opposition with her pace, dribbling skills and goal-scoring ability each time she’s presented with half chances. Banyana will need her contribution in next year’s Women’s Afcon qualifiers if they are to make through the qualification phase and then fight their way to secure their place in the 2019 Fifa Women’s World Cup by finishing in the top three of the Ghana Women’s Afcon edition later in the coming year.
ChantelleESAU
ALTHOUGH SHE didn’t score that many goals as expected from a striker, Esau played a massive role in seeing the national side tick in the final third. The striker combined really well with Thembi Kgatlana up front and could easily break down the opposition’s defence with her skill and superb shots towards goal whenever she was presented with half chances to do so. Banyana do not have that many potent strikers to choose from selection wise, and keeping Esau in the selection mix would see her also grow from strength to strength in that role, learning from other senior players such as US-based striker Jermaine Seoposenwe, who has more experience than she does.