Banyana teenager dreams big after good showing at COSAFA

The forward was one of the stand-out players for coach Maud Khumalo's side as they finished runners-up to Zambia, following a 4-3 defeat on penalties in the final in Gqeberha.

Mdelwa, who played in all five matches at the tournament, scored in the 3-1 win over Eswatini in what was only her second match for Banyana, and is confident that her performance in the tournament could be the start of good things to come for her.

"I am only 16 and I see a bright future for myself, if I continue to work hard. I believe, if I keep up the good work, I will be called up again and could play in the World Cup someday," said Mdelwa.

"There are many talented and older players than myself, I am just happy that the coach chose me ahead of them and I will forever be grateful."

The teenager earlier won gold with the SA U17 Women's squad in the COSAFA Region 5 Games held in Malawi in 2022, and says the difference in level is quite significant.

"Even though the level between schools’ competition and the national team is huge, the COSAFA Cup wasn’t too difficult for me," she added.

"Because the Hollywoodbets Super League had prepared me well. In the U15 CAF competition, we won by huge margins, like 7-0 or 14-0.

"However, the final was very difficult because Zambia is strong. I believe we played well and did everything we could, and that is why they could not score in open play. Unfortunately, it was not to be in terms of the gold medal."

The Pietermaritzburg-born Mdelwa previously spent a year in Europe at the LaLiga Academy in Madrid, Spain and only returned to the country in June this year after the facility was closed down due to lack of sponsorship.

She soon found herself on the books of Lindelani Ladies, but the Durban outfit have since been relegated from the Hollywoodbets Super League, and Mdelwa has confirmed contact from several topflight clubs interested in her services.

"I am sad that we were relegated. It's true some teams have contacted me to come play for them, but it’s a big decision to make. Fortunately, I don’t deal with them, I leave those decisions to my coach at Lindelani Ladies to deal with them,” she concluded.

READ: Khumalo praises youthful Banyana despite COSAFA final defeat