Players flock to SA trials

The South African women's national selections kicked off at the University of Johannesburg Auckland Park campus on Sunday, with over 300 girls turning out for trials for Banyana Banyana, as well as the country's under-17 and under-20 teams.

“The turnout was exceptional,” said assistant technical director Fran Hilton-Smith. “There was great talent on display for Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis and Basetsana (under-20) head coach Maud Khumalo to select from. These are the kind of initiatives that are needed to ensure we get to see all the talent in the country.”

Also in attendance was Fifa goalkeeper coach Alex Heredia and provincial technical officers Gae Lepalo and Amilca de Oliviera.

Ten of the Gauteng provincial selectors were also presents at the event, among them Jabulile Baloyi and Keneilwe Mathibela.

“This was the first of the nine provinces to be visited. Each girls received a soccer ball to take home, while the coaches were handed polo shirts, a coach's clipboard, a stop watch and a whistle all sponsored by the Department of Sport and Recreation South Africa,” added Hilton-Smith.

NAMPA/ANA