Vera Pauw,coach of South Africa during the South African Senior Womens Team training session on the 11 April 2014 at the Dobsonville Stadium ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
BANYANA BANYANA head coach, Vera Pauw trimmed down her squad of 29. Pauw needed only 18 players plus 4 alternate players to make a final squad of 22. The squad will represent South Africa at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games which start in August.
Goalkeepers Mpho Tefo (Kanatla Ladies) and Yolula Tsawe (JvW FC), defenders Letago Madiba (TUT Ladies) and Jabulile Mazibuko (Tuks) as well as striker Andisiwe Mgcoyi (Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies) have been left out of the squad.
She said that was a toughest decision to make.
“The worst job of any coach in the world is to have to trim down the squad to the required official number. Unfortunately it is something that has to be done. If truth be told I hate my job when it comes to having to leave players out of the squad. And, sadly, I am well aware that I am destroying dreams so it is not something we take very lightly – we put very serious thoughts into the process that has been going on for weeks now,” Pauw said.
“But I would like to say to the players that are out of the squad, not all is totally lost because if there is a need for them to be recalled we will certainly do so. Should there be an injury they will be the first to be contacted so they cannot afford to lose hope or take it easy, they need to continue training so that if that call comes, they are ready. So the bottom line is the door is not closed on them.”
With five players out of the squad from the initial 29, the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana will now have 26 players at the start of the next training camp with the addition of USA-based striker Jermaine Seoposengwe and goalkeeper Kaylin Swart. But only 25 players will travel to The Netherlands.
Midfielder Silindile Ngubane will not be part of the squad as she has a family commitment. However she is expected back in camp when Banyana Banyana returns from Europe.
Pauw has until 14 July 2016 to name her final squad of 22 players.
PROVISIONAL BANYANA BANYANA SQUAD
GOALKEEPERS
1. Roxanne Barker Unattached Cape Town
2. Andile Dlamini Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies FC Johannesburg
3. Mapaseka Mpuru HPC Pretoria
DEFENDERS
4. Lebohang Ramalepe Maindis FC Polokwane
5. Nothando Vilakazi Palace Super Falcons FC Johannesburg
6. Janine Van Wyk JVW FC Johannesburg
7. Noko Matlou Maindis FC Polokwane
8. Lerato Kgasago Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies Johannesburg
9. Nomathemba Ntsibande Springs Home Sweepers Johannesburg
10. Bambanani Mbane Bloemfontein Celtic Ladies Bloemfontein
11. Lebogang Mabatle TUKS Pretoria
MIDFIELDERS
12. Mamello Makhabane JVW FC Johannesburg
13. Amanda Dlamini University of Johannesburg Johannesburg
14. Silindile Ngubane Durban Ladies FC Pietermaritzburg
15. Refiloe Jane VUT Ladies Vaal
16. Leandra Smeda UWC Ladies Cape Town
17. Nompumelelo Nyandeni JVW FC Johannesburg
18. Bongiwe Thusi Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies Johannesburg
19. Linda Motlhalo HPC Pretoria
20. Stephanie Malherbe Texas A & M University USA
STRIKERS
21. Sanah Mollo Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies FC Johannesburg
22. Shiwe Nogwanya Bloemfontein Celtic Ladies Bloemfontein
23. Thembi Kgatlana UWC Ladies Cape Town
24. Chantelle Essau Palace Super Falcons FC Johannesburg
US-based players
25. Jermaine Seoposenwe Samford University USA
26. Kaylin Swart Des Moines Menace University USA
-TDN
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