Desiree Ellis has named fit-again Thembi Kgatlana in her final 23-woman Banyana Banyana squad for the Fifa Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand subsequent month.
Refiloe Jane will captain the Banyana facet, whereas Ellis named Kgatlana and goalkeeper Andile Dlamini as vice-captains.
Thembi Kgatlana makes South Africa’s World Cup staff. The final time she performed for her nation, she tore her Achilles within the Africa Cup of Nations. Racing’s May 6 match vs. Orlando was her first in 10 months. So, she is grateful to be wholesome now and never excited about that damage https://t.co/aEJzLomDqO pic.twitter.com/dfPx3a1xMy— Tyler Greever (@Tyler_Greever) June 23, 2023
“It has been a tough week,” stated Ellis, in line with Safa.net, after having to trim down he squad from 36 gamers.
“It may need not been straightforward for you as gamers but it surely was additionally not straightforward for me because the coach. If I might, I might have taken each one however sadly I can solely take 23 gamers.
“Thank you for the exhausting work that each one in all you has put in, and this isn’t the tip of it. It nonetheless must proceed and it’ll get tougher from right here as a result of the World Cup stage is a special ball recreation.
“I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the whole group of 36 players (in the preliminary squad) for their enthusiasm, commitment and competitiveness during this time. I would also like to thank the staff for always giving their best.”
Banyana have been drawn in Group G on the World Cup, which begins on July 20, together with Sweden, Argentina and Italy.
FIXTURES
23 July
Sweden v South Africa, Wellington Regional Stadium (Wellington/Te Whanganui-a-tara)
28 July
Argentina v South Africa, Dunedin Stadium (Dunedin/Otepoti)
2 August
South Africa v Italy, Wellington Regional Stadium (Wellington/Te Whanganui-a-tara)
