Sunflower FC proud to be producing talent for Banyana Banyana

Banyana coach Desiree Ellis announced a 23-member squad that will face Jamaica in two international friendlies.

Mamelodi Sundowns duo, Asanda Hadebe and Kholosa Biyana and the University of Pretoria’s Ntando Phahla all played for Sunflower before moving on to the Hollywoodbets Super League.

Speaking to SABC Sport Malinga says their goal is to develop as many players as they can that can play in the national team.

“Kholosa was a bit older when she joined us but we played a role in moulding her playing style. We are very proud of both of them, they have both achieved a lot. I started working with Asanda when she was only 10, we gave her the basic skills in football though she was already talented,” Malinga said.

“She [Asanda] started playing for the national team when she was a bit young and we hope she keeps growing in football and possibly gets a chance to play in Europe. Ow wow, I didn’t know that Phahla was called up to the national team, we are very proud of her. She is really doing well at TUKS.”

The club has also produced the likes of Sphumelele Shamase and Thubelihle Shamase who both play for Lithuanian’s football club, FC Gintra and the University of Johannesburg’s Yolanda Nduli.

Malinga says as someone who has worked in women’s football for a long time, they are happy to see Banyana playing friendlies with such respected football teams.

“When we started in women’s football, we didn’t know it will get to this level. We didn’t know Banyana will compete with such teams. So, what we did was to help female football players just to keep children off the streets,” he added.

“So, as coaches we are happy to see these players competing internationally because when they play at this level, then they come back with experience to add on to the Hollywoodbets Super League and also get opportunities to be scouted internationally.”

This week, Malinga graduated with a CAF b-licence and he says it’s crucial to keep up to date with what’s happening in the world of football especially as someone who works with children.

“It’s important, football changes a lot, so it’s very important to keep updated. Working in development means I always need to know what laws are changing and how I can improve technically and tactically because I have youth and senior teams that I need to develop for the national team.”