Cape Town was well-represented when the South African Under 17 National team, aka Bantwana, visited Zambia in their opening 2020 FIFA U-17 World Cup Qualifier first leg clash on Friday, 28 February.
The Mother City region, one of 52 regions that make the South African Football Association, had no fewer than nine players – way more than any region – in the 20-member squad which lost 2-0 to the hosts at Nkoloman Stadium in the neighbouring country capital city of Lusaka.
Gugulethu-based Sasol League Western Province outfits Cape Town Roses had the most number of players from the region, with at least four of the nine currently in their books. They are goal keeper Zubenathi Livi, defender Mihle Lumko, as well midfielders Sonika Mzingeli and Lithemba Sam Sam.
The rest of the Cape Town players in the Bantwana squad were defender Hlela Philisani from Philippi-based Dangerous Heroes; fellow defender Thimna Mpehle of Khayelitsha’s RV United; as well as Shakira O’Mally of Spurs Women Football Club who is also a defender. Midfielder Nabeelah Galant from the University of Cape Town and Tiyana Carollessen from Vasco Da Gama complete the group.
SAFA Cape Town acting president, Nomonde Dlakana, congratulated the Cape Town players for their selection, and said the region has always been a hub for the national women’s teams. “We might not as Western Cape have win the National Women’s League as represented by UWC, but we have marked our territory in women’s football nationally.
“We always have our girls in all teams called up for selection. We pride ourselves with development and strides from our local teams. The future for our girls is bright especially the U17s as this ties up with SAFAs vision 2020 in youth football development. These girls are the next Banyana Banyana generation”.
