A Mpumalanga soccer player, Lerato Mavis Maiacane (19), said it felt surreal to be in the starting line-up for Banyana Banyana’s international friendly against Lesotho at the University of Johannesburg on Saturday, February 22.
She and the other potential players of the South African senior women’s national team beat Lesotho 1-0, making a name for themselves in football.
The game formed part of the training/selection camp at which Maiacane and other soccer players from around the country vied for places on the Banyana Banyana roster from February 17 to 26.
The skilful player from KaMaqhekeza played as a striker and wore the yellow jersey with pride and honour.
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“This is a dream come true for any young female soccer player. I do not take wearing the yellow jersey for granted, because it proves that I have the potential to become a part of Banyana Banyana,” Maiacane said humbly.
Maiacane was scouted in 2024 when her home club, Super Strikers Ladies Football Club, represented the province in the Sasol Women’s National League.
The two countries returned to the same venue, completing the two-game series on Tuesday February 25. They yet again showed Lesotho what they they are made of, wining 2-0.
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Ahead of the first match, Dr Desiree Ellis, Banyana Banyana’s head coach, said the expectation from this group of potential players is to see if they could step up for integration into the senior team and to widen its pool of players.
This camp also allowed Ellis to prepare for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in July.
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Bongekile Khumalo
www.citizen.co.za
