Former Banyana player calls for continuity in SA U17 Women’s team

By Matlhomola Morake
12th December 2024

Former Banyana Banyana star Pinky Matjekane says she would love to see the current South African U17 Women’s National team proceed forward together as they are very talented.

Bantwana unfortunately bombed out in the group stages of the 2024 COSAFA U17 Women’s Championship that comes to an end on Friday where Zambia and Lesotho will be playing for gold.

READ: No AFCON, no World Cup for SA U17 boys after going down to Zambia

Luckily, the South Africans don’t have to wait for long for action as they have the 2025 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers starting in January.

Matjekane says she was impressed by some of the players, hence her call for continuity.

''I am linking some of the few players which I have identified, they are very solid. But there's still room for improvement. I have seen Mdelwa, she is a very good player, but she gets arrogant at some point. And with football we know, discipline and attitude will take you far, talent alone is not enough,'' said Matjekane.

Matjekane singled out captain Katlego Malebana and forward Nobahle Mdelwa as the best performers, but she says they need to be kept active.

''Of course we want to see these faces regularly, they are both one of our best players. So let's play them, let them get used to the game, the temperature and the momentum of the game. We need to see them, that is where the progress starts,'' added Matjekane.

The women’s football analyst adds that the COSAFA U17 Women’s Championship is a good breeding ground for these youngsters where they can have a free reign so as to gain experience.

Matjekane adds that over the past few years players have been coming through the development ranks but only to get lost in the system and never to be seen again – something that must be rectified, especially with a platform like the COSAFA U17 Women’s Championship.

''That is where you spot your talent, from here it is either they remain in your books or we don't know where they go. In South Africa we have this issue where we develop players and they just disappear. I have seen about five players, and would like to one day see them play for Banyana Banyana, for some teams overseas,'' she expressed.