Smeda joins the Chile party

For the first time since joining her new club Gintra FC in Lithuania, winger Leandra Smeda (above) has linked up with the national team in Chile, where Banyana are set to play two friendly matches against the South American nation.

The Western Cape-born player has high hopes and she believes this might just be the year the senior national team finally qualifies for the Fifa Women’s World Cup in France next year.

“I personally feel we stand a good chance of qualifying this year, the team has been performing well so far. We have gelled well as a group with experienced and young players. The young ones that have come in have raised their hands and have made the older players fight for their position in the team,” said Smeda.

Ahead of the first of their two games against Las Chicas de Rojo tomorrow in Vina del Mar, Smeda says the games will test the team’s abilities ahead of the 2019 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled for November, where they will go in search of their first Afcon title and a World Cup spot.

“We have never played Chile before. It will be a learning experience for us as well. I think it is going to be a good game it will be a good preparation for us looking ahead of the Afcon to also see how the team plays against South American opposition,” she added.

The second friendly will be on October 9 in Santiago.