A red card and regulations regarding the size of the squad has forced the South Africa’s under-23 to cut back on the size of their squad for next week’s showdown in Morocco, who will host the second leg second round of the 2018 FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup.
Missing out on the trip is midfielder Karabo Dlamini, who was red-carded in the clash against Morocco at the Dobsonville Stadium.
“The team has been affected by the red card to Dlamini, but we are also looking forward to picking the best players from the bench that will represent us well in that match,” says Coach Simphiwe Dludlu.
Bantwana will face the North Africans on Saturday, February 17, at the Stade Boubker Aamar in Sale (start at 4.30pm SA time)
Dludlu has kept faith in the squad that featured in the first round of qualifiers against Botswana and also in the first leg of the second round where they defeated Morocco 5-1.
But she has had to leave behind six players because of the required numbers: Goalkeeper Gugulethu Pitso (Blue Birds FC); Defender Tatiana Christedis (JVW FC); Midfielder Chloe Valkin (Wanderers FC) and Forwards Thembelihle Masibi (De’Scorpions) as well as Isabella Ludwig (Randburg FC).
“We are very excited about the second leg going to Morocco. The team we have selected for this trip has been part of the qualifiers from the onset and we are positive they will do the business,” says Dludlu.
Bantwana will jet out to Morocco on Tuesday.
In other qualifiers, Ghana host Djibouti (Ghana won 9-0 in the first leg), while Nigeria will visit Cameroon (they finished with a 2-2 draw in the first leg).
Winners of the second round will represent Africa at final tournament scheduled for November 13 – December 1 in Uruguay.
SA Under-17 squad:
Kaydee Windvogel, Leigh Brophy, Mananki Makhoana, Yenzokuhle Ngubane, Lonathemba Mhlongo, Kaylin Jordan, Yolanda Nduli, Fikile Magama, Cynthia Maket, Oratile Mokwena, Zethembiso Vilakazi, Miche Minnies, Jessica Wade, Thubelihle Shamase, Khunjulwa Mali, Sibulele Holweni, Sphumelele Shamase
