Bantwana captain Amogelang Motau believes hard work and determination are key factors needed to overcome Zambia in the last leg of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers on Sunday, 24 November.

 

 

 

The South Africa/Zambia clash will be played at the Bidvest Wits Stadium (kick-off: 15h00).

 

 

 

The South Africans look set to be among the 16 participants at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup final to be staged in Costa Rica from 15 March – 5 April 2014.

 

 

 

Bantwana have been in camp the whole week preparing for the return-leg qualifier. The first leg was drawn 3-3 in Zambia two weeks ago.  

 

 

 

Following their 9-0 win against Wits University senior Women’s team in a practice match, Bantwana captain feels preparations are on track for the all-important qualifier on Sunday.

 

 

 

“Things have been going well since we started training on Sunday, which has given us more time to prepare and yesterday we played a practice match against the Wits senior team which went well, we applied all the concepts the coach has been taking us through at training.

 

 

 

“As coach had told us, it always starts with you as an individual in the team, if you work hard and be the best that you can be on the day. We need to make sure we are motivated and play together as a team from the first whistle to keep our World Cup dream alive,” said Motau.

 

 

 

Four new players were introduced to the squad in an effort to strengthen the goalkeeping and midfield areas. Two players were released from camp but Bantwana coach, Sheryl Botes said she would keep them in the system for future national team activities.

 

 

 

“We have been encouraging the new players and realize they are also anxious to come on board and assist us in qualifying for the World Cup. The coach has explained that the bench is as good as the starting eleven, so they have to be at their best on the day,” Motau said.

 

 

 

Bantwana will play their final practice match against the Diambars Academy U16 Boys side at the Sunward Park High School grounds.

 

 

 

“Coming from our game against Wits yesterday, we are confident and motivated. We are looking forward to the match against the boys and will use this exercise to implement what the coach has been teaching us this week.

 

 

 

“We have to work hard on that day, go out there and play our hearts out from the first whistle. We would like to encourage SA supporters to come out in their numbers, like FIFA President has said, like it or not the future of football is women’s football. We need our fans backing us like the Zambians did in the first leg,” concluded Motau.

 

 

 

Bantwana squad in camp:

 

No.

 

  Name & Surname

 

  Club

 

  Province

 

  1.Juliet Sethole

 

  HPC

 

  GP

 

  2.Samkelisiwe Zuma

 

  Tottanham Ladies

 

  KZN

 

  3.Mapaseka Mpuru

 

  Golden Ladies FC

 

  NW

 

  4.Drishana Pillay

 

  HPC

 

  GP

 

  5.Chamelle Wiltshire

 

  HPC

 

  GP

 

  6.Babalwa Mteto

 

  Kamwa FC

 

  WC

 

  7.Bongeka Gamede

 

  HPC

 

  KZN

 

  8.Tiisetso Makhubela

 

  Torino FC

 

  NW

 

  9.Kgalaletso Kesimolotse

 

  Mafikeng Ladies FC

 

  NW

 

  10.Caryn van Reyneveldt

 

  Spurs FC

 

  WC

 

  11.Lesego Nkoane

 

  HPC

 

  GP

 

  12.Puleng Moremi

 

  HPC

 

  FS

 

  13.Nosipho Mahlawe

 

  Tottenham Ladies

 

  KZN

 

  14.Gabriella Salgado

 

  HPC

 

  GP

 

  15.Amogelang Motau

 

  HPC

 

  LMP

 

  16.Linda Sepotokela

 

  HPC

 

  GP

 

  17.Casey Bull

 

  JVW FC

 

  GP

 

  18.Kirsten Nolan

 

  JVW FC

 

  GP

 

  19.Snenhlanhla Shozi

 

  Barcelona FC

 

  KZN

 

  20.Anelisa Ndyebi

 

  Tomorrow Stars FC

 

  EC

-TDN

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