MaIndies Ladies FC defender Xiluva Tshabalala says she is happy and excited about being in the national senior women’s team for the first time.
Tshabalala is one of the seven new faces that coach Desiree Ellis has called up for Banyana Banyana’s first match of the year against Lesotho this coming weekend in Tsakane, on the East Rand.
Tshabalala says she had not expected the call-up and the first person she told was teammate Lebogang Ramalepe because the Banyana vice-captain has always been encouraging.
Tshabalala’s side has not played any competitive matches since gaining promotion to the SAFA National Women’s League (SNWL) late in 2019.
The 23-year-old says she has been following a plan inspired by Ramalepe where she trained by herself.
Tshabalala has played for MaIndies since 2010 when she was 14 years old and she wants to make a good impression this week with the hope of becoming a regular in the Banyana side.
In the audio below, the young lady from Olifantshoek village in Limpopo’s Vhembe District wants to make those who supported her journey proud:
Xitsonga transcript: “I’m really grateful because this is something every player wants. I’m happy and excited. I’m determined to go there and learn everything. I didn’t expect it and the first person I told was Lebogang (Ramalepe) because she always encouraged me to keep doing well and to keep fit. So, I have to take this opportunity and use it. We (MaIndies) played one tournament in December after coming back from the Sasol League national playoffs and we were relaxed. But Lebo again advised me not to just relax but train even if it was by myself. So I wasn’t relaxed, I was busy. I followed a schedule of the things I needed to do every day. I am determined to go to Banyana Banyana and fight to become one of the regulars and make my team, my family and friends proud.”
CAF Women’s Coach of the Year, @Banyana_Banyana Desiree Ellis
CONGRATS!! pic.twitter.com/zAWBfKvrtX— Banyana_Banyana (@Banyana_Banyana) January 7, 2020
Report by Lethabo Kganyago
