The Week's Newspaper
| Young Gladiators ready for Basetsana |
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| Written by Elvis Uahatjiri Mbaha | |||
| Wednesday, 30 November 2011 20:07 | |||
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The national women’s Under-20 team will host their South African counterparts in an international friendly on Saturday, 03 December in preparation for a World Cup 2012 qualifier against Ghana, early next year. The Young Gladiators recently returned from a month-long training camp in Germany to help them prepare for their tough qualifying campaign. Head coach, Jacqui Shipanga described the camp as having been an ideal platform for the team to prepare and boost their chances ahead of the campaign. The 24 member squad to play South Africa consists of eleven players drawn from the ranks of the NFA Women’s Super League, while the rest ply their trades in the lower division clubs. Notable members of the squad include J S Academy goal poacher, Vistorine Shangula and promising Poly Babes midfielder, Lorraine Jossob. The defence is strengthened by the hard-tackling J S Academy defender , Veueza Kotjipati and the industrious Okahandja Beauties duo of Stacey Naris and Alberta Dawes. The inclusion of J S Academy midfield ace, Annouscka Kordon adds vigour to the Gladiators’ attack. During the qualifiers, South Africa is set to take on Botswana in the opening round, beginning in February next year. The South African under-20 squad also known as Basetsana, will consist of crucial players from the Bantwana ( South Africa Under-17) team that participated in the FIFA Under- 17 Women’s World Cup that took place in Trinidad and Tobago last year. Robyn Moodly, Rachel Sebati and Jermain Sepoenwe would be key players for Basetsana. The three have previously also represented the South Africa senior woman’s team Banyana Banyana. Jackey Gertze, from the NFA’s Women’s Desk, exhibits confidence ahead of the clash: “I think we are on the right track, towards realising our goal which is to qualify for the 2012 World Cup. I reckon after this fixture, we will be very well prepared for Ghana”. Gertze believes South Africa is a real challenge ahead of the World Cup qualifiers. “This match is good practice before the trip to Ghana. The South African ladies present a tough challenge for our girls.” If the Young Gladiators beat Ghana, they would still have to play the second round of qualifiers against South Africa, Botswana or the Comoros Islands in April. Young Gladiators squad: Goalkeepers: Susanna Eises, Agnes Kauzuu, Jessica De Oliveira and Trooi Rukamba. Defenders: Lovisa Mulunga, Alberta Dawes, Stacey Naris, Veueza Kotjipati, Camilla Rooinasie, and Kahivire Kavezeri. Midfielders: Emma Naris, Twelikondjela Amukoto, Mellisa Goliath, Abrielle Beukes, Lorraine Jossob, Marelle Polster and Meldrid Ujamba. Strikers: Vistorine Shangula, Defney Noabes, Carmel Don, Annouscka Kordon and Monique Krone.
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