{"id":64693,"date":"2025-02-14T15:51:09","date_gmt":"2025-02-14T13:51:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ssschoolsplus.co.za\/?p=64693"},"modified":"2025-02-14T15:51:09","modified_gmt":"2025-02-14T13:51:09","slug":"youthful-players-rewarded-with-banyana-banyana-call-ups","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/?p=64693","title":{"rendered":"Youthful players rewarded with Banyana Banyana call-ups"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A South Africa team picture before the 2024 Cosafa Women’s u20 Championship match between South Africa and Zambia at the UJ Stadium, Soweto on 20 November 2024. Photo: Muzi Ntombela\/BackpagePix.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Banyana Banyana<\/strong> will face Lesotho at the University of Johannesburg Soweto Campus<\/strong> in international friendly matches on 22 and 25 February, with a squad featuring promising young talents.<\/p>\n

In the last two years, in South African football, an increasing number of young footballers, both male and female, have been given opportunities to showcase their skills at club and international levels<\/p>\n

The willingness of coaches to trust younger players to rise to the challenges has brought with it a sense of optimism and excitement about the futures of Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana, the nation’s senior national teams.<\/p>\n

Among the promising players that have caught the eye is Katlego Malebana<\/a>,<\/strong> a top talent from Mamelodi Sundowns,<\/strong> who was loaned to Tuks<\/strong> part-way through the 2024 Hollywoodbets Super League<\/strong>. She excelled and was included as a member of the SuperSport Schools Class of 2024<\/strong> and also earned the title of GSport4girls School Sport Star of the Year<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Malebana, who rose through the ranks at Sundowns, is one of the brightest talents to have come through the Gauteng Women’s Development League (GWDL)<\/strong>, which was established in 2023.<\/p>\n

The GWDL continues to thrive and, in 2025, it enters its third season. Mondli Dube,<\/strong> an administrator with both the South African Football Association (Safa) <\/strong>and GWDL,<\/strong> told SuperSport Schools Plus<\/strong> that there are plans to broaden the league by introducing additional age groups – u13, u15, and u17.<\/p>\n

In 2024, the GWDL had two age categories, u14 and u16. Malebana’s selection for the national team demonstrates the positive impact of development initiatives and local leagues, like the GWDL, which are dedicated to advancing women’s football.<\/p>\n

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Katlego Malebana. Photo. Mamelodi Sundowns.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In a remarkable 2024, she also led the South African team to victory in the u15 CAF African Schools Football Tournament<\/strong><\/a> in Zanzibar.<\/p>\n

She concluded 2024 on a triumphant note, winning the inaugural IberCup South Africa<\/strong> <\/a>with Tuks after a decisive 5-1 win from the spot against JVW Girls Football Development<\/strong>, following a 1-1 draw in regular time.<\/p>\n

As Malebana continues her successful trajectory and development, her latest achievement is a call-up to the South African national team by the Banyana Banyana coach, Dr. Desiree Ellis<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Malebana is among a group of players who participated in the u17 Cosafa Championship<\/strong> last December, which has been summoned to the senior national side.<\/p>\n

The group also includes Bonolo Mokoma. <\/strong>Recently JVW announced her promotion from their Sasol League team to the first team, along with Reitumetse Mosuoe<\/strong> and Mphelo Thorisho<\/a>. <\/strong>All three players represented JVW in the Sasol League in 2024.<\/p>\n

In a press statement, JVW said the promotion of the trio reflects the ongoing success of their player development programmes, with the three demonstrating outstanding growth and dedication.<\/p>\n

“Their promotion reflects our dedication to nurturing homegrown talent and providing opportunities for players to step up and make an impact at the highest level,” JVW stated.<\/p>\n

Other young players who have been called up to the national team include Tanna Hollis<\/strong>\u00a0and Katleho Mohame<\/strong>, who are also from JVW, and Nobahle Mdelwa<\/strong><\/a> who has joined the University of Johannesburg (UJ)<\/strong> in the Hollywoodbets Super League. She joins her UJ team-mate, Adrielle Mibe<\/strong>, in the national set-up.<\/p>\n

Another promising young talent, Khwezi Khoza<\/strong>, who, like the others, has represented South Africa at junior levels in Cosafa competitions, was also summoned by coach Ellis.<\/p>\n

Ellis, who played 600 club games in her career, and 32 internationals, explained her decision to go with a youthful line-up for the two matches against Lesotho.<\/p>\n

“We are always watching players and have been impressed with the group we have called in for these two matches,” she said. “As you see, some are from the Cosafa Championships played last year, some are currently part of the u17 national team and will have an opportunity to learn from the senior team while they prepare for their World Cup qualifiers.”<\/p>\n

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University of Fort Hare ladies’ football star, Kesha Hendricks. Photo. University of Fort Hare.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Another member of the young faction is 19-year-old Kesha Hendricks<\/strong>, who plays for the University of Fort Hare<\/strong> in the Hollywoodbets Super League. She made her debut for Banyana Bayana against Namibia at the 2024 Cosafa Championship<\/strong>, on 22 October last year.<\/p>\n

Hendricks caught the eye when she scored a hat-trick in an impressive 8-1 win over The Seychelles,<\/strong> during which she showcased her skills and finishing to a wide audience<\/p>\n

In response to her selection, Hendricks told the University of Fort Hare media team” “A national call-up means a lot to me because I am going to represent my country.”<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Banyana Banyana Squad to face Lesotho.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Name and Surname <\/strong><\/td>\nClub<\/strong><\/td>\nProvince<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Goalkeepers<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Jessica Williams<\/td>\nBadgers<\/td>\nWestern Cape<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Casey Gordon<\/td>\nJVW FC<\/td>\nGauteng<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Asa Rabalao<\/td>\nMamelodi Sundowns<\/td>\nGauteng<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Mbali Ntimeni<\/td>\nMamelodi Sundowns<\/td>\nGauteng<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
5.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Matshidiso Masebe<\/td>\nUniversity of Johannesburg<\/td>\nGauteng<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
6.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Katlego Moletsane<\/td>\nUniversity of Western Cape<\/td>\nWestern Cape<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
7.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Siphesihle Dlamini<\/td>\nUniversity of Western Cape<\/td>\nWestern Cape<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
8.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Dineo Magagula<\/td>\nTS Galaxy<\/td>\nMpumalanga<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Defenders <\/strong><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
9.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ntando Phahla<\/td>\nUniversity of Pretoria<\/td>\nGauteng<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
10.\u00a0 Portia Masilela<\/td>\nUniversity of Johannesburg<\/td>\nGauteng<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
11.\u00a0 Bonolo Makoma<\/td>\nJVW FC<\/td>\nGauteng<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
12.\u00a0 Yomelelo Jacobs<\/td>\nTS Galaxy<\/td>\nGauteng<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
13.\u00a0 Sikelelwa Mhlanga<\/td>\nCity Lads<\/td>\nEastern Cape<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
14.\u00a0 Unathi Simayile<\/td>\nUniversity of Western Cape<\/td>\nWestern Cape<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
15.\u00a0 Yolanda Nduli<\/td>\nUniversity of Johannesburg<\/td>\nGauteng<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Midfielders <\/strong><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
16.\u00a0 Okuhle Sithole<\/td>\nDurban Ladies FC<\/td>\nKwaZulu-Natal<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
17.\u00a0 Mmabatho Mogale<\/td>\nUniversity of Western Cape<\/td>\nWestern Cape<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
18.\u00a0 Nondumiso Manengela<\/td>\nUniversity of Western Cape<\/td>\nWestern Cape<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
19.\u00a0 Isabella Ludwig<\/td>\nN\/A<\/td>\nN\/A<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
20.\u00a0 Katlego Malebana<\/td>\nMamelodi Sundowns<\/td>\nGauteng<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
21.\u00a0 Sibongile Ntoane<\/td>\nTUT \u2013 Matsatsantsa FC<\/td>\nGauteng<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
22.\u00a0 Thato Mofolo<\/td>\nUniversity of Johannesburg<\/td>\nGauteng<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
23.\u00a0 Kesha Hendricks<\/td>\nUniversity of Fort Hare<\/td>\nEastern Cape<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
24.\u00a0 Adrielle Mibe<\/td>\nUniversity of Johannesburg<\/td>\nGauteng<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Forwards<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
25.\u00a0 Katleho Mohale<\/td>\nJVW FC<\/td>\nGauteng<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
26.\u00a0 Khoza Khwezi<\/td>\nDurban Ladies FC<\/td>\nKwaZulu-Natal<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
27.\u00a0 Tshegofatso Motlogelwa<\/td>\nTUT- Matsatsantsa<\/td>\nGauteng<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
28.\u00a0 Mavis Maiacane<\/td>\nSuper Strikers FC<\/td>\nMpumalanga<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
29.\u00a0 Nobahle Mdelwa<\/td>\nUniversity of Johannesburg<\/td>\nGauteng<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
30.\u00a0 Tanna Hollis<\/td>\nJVW FC<\/td>\nGauteng<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Banyana Banyana will face Lesotho at the University of Johannesburg Soweto Campus in international friendly matches on 22 and 25 February, with a squad featuring promising young talents. In the last two years, in South African football, an increasing number of young footballers, both male and female, have been given opportunities to showcase their skills […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":27,"featured_media":61083,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-64693","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64693","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/27"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=64693"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64693\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/61083"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=64693"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=64693"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=64693"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}