Seven Cape players were named in the South African U-17 National Women’s Team (Bantwana) training camp squad in preparation for their 2022 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualification road.
The seven junior girls are part of a 29-member squad that went into the camp that was scheduled to take place from 3-7 February ahead of Bantwana’s first round of World Cup qualifiers against Kenya in March. After this camp, the girls will next report for camp on 24 February 2022.
The eight players from Cape Town in the squad are goalkeeper Iviwe Nompondo of Cape Town Roses; defenders Geneva Abrahams of CR Vasco da Gama and the Roses duo of Siphesihle Deliwe and Zintle Mxwali; midfielders Ayongezwa Mdingi of RV United and Daniella Segall of the University of Cape Town; while Roses’ Azile Phithi is the only forward from the Mother City in the team.
The 7th Edition of the U17 World Cup was scheduled to take place last year but was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic and will now be hosted in India in October.
Bantwana Head Coach Siphiwe Dludlu is looking to build a new squad after most of her 2019 group graduated to the U20 national team. “We are looking forward to getting back on the pitch and building a team that will take us to the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup,’’ said Dludlu. “At this level of football, we are faced with many challenges as we always have to build a new team and navigate around the education of the various players. However, I believe we have a system that accommodates everyone’s needs.”
Natalie Swartz, SAFA Cape Town head of women football, congratulated the selected girls, saying it was an honor and privilege for the region to have representation in the national team. “We are happy for the girls that have departed for the camp and wish them all the best going forward.
“I know the girls will definitely put their best foot first. We know their talent within the Western Cape women football as they are driven, despite various challenges such as Covid-19. We always have girls in the Bantwana squad and as the region we are super proud of the ladies.”
Swartz added that the region believes in a holistic approach when it comes to development of football players. “I see how younger players are being developed and I foresee some great players coming through the ranks going forward. I salute those coaches and parents who support these players in achieving their goals. Upwards and Onwards!”
The first leg of Bantwana’s World Cup qualifiers will take place 12 March 2022, with the return leg scheduled for the weekend of 19 March 2022.
Below is the full squad, their club names and the region they come from:
GOALKEEPERS:
- Iviwe Nompondo, Cape Town Roses (Western Cape)
- Kgomotso Musimango, Kempton Park FC (Gauteng)
- Roche Baardman Stellenbosch FC (Western Cape)
- Akhona Madidimane, Mito Stars (Gauteng)
DEFENDERS - Siphesihle Madiya, Lindelani FC (KwaZulu Natal)
- Omuhle Nngcobo, Lindelani FC (KwaZulu Natal)
- Lindelwa Mjwara, Sapphire Ladies ( KwaZulu Natal)
- Siphesihle Deliwe, Cape Town Roses (Western Cape)
- Ntando Phahla, Sunflower WFC (KwaZulu Natal)
- Zintle Mxwali, Cape Town Roses (Western Cape)
- Geneva Abrahams, Vasco Da Gama (Western Cape)
- Siphesihle Maselane, Mito Stars (Gauteng)
MIDFIELDERS: - Kutlwano Maphane, Mito Stars (Gauteng)
- Kananelo Taiwe, Unattached (Free State)
- Siphesihle Magaze, Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies (Gauteng)
- Mmabatho Mogale, High Performance Centre (Gauteng)
- Lumka Qhekeka, Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies (Gauteng)
- Nonhle Mabaso, JVW Ladies (Gauteng)
- Cinderella Mibe, Wits Juniors (Gauteng)
- Ayongezwa Mdingi, RV United (Western Cape)
- Kwanele Mgadwa, Mito Stars (Gauteng)
- Daniella Segall, University of Cape Town (Western Cape)
- Ayanda Mkhize, Durban Ladies (KwaZulu Natal)
- Mpho Dlamini, Kempton Park FC (Gauteng)
- Anako Dlala, Sunflower WFC (KwaZulu Natal)
- Nomphelo Yakuphi, Copperbelt Ladies (Limpopo)
STRIKERS: - Nomdumiso Malinga, Mito Stars (Gauteng)
- Gugu Dhlamini, High Performance Centre (Gauteng)
- Azile Phithi, Cape Town Roses (Western Cape)
