Local soccer players Victoria Muroa and Molatelo Sebata have been invited by the South African Women Soccer team head coach, Disree Ellis to join the Banyana Banyana for the two upcoming international friendly matches against Sweden and Holland in Cape Town.
The matches form part of the team’s preparations for the 2019 Fifa Women’s World Cup tournament set to take place in France from 7 June to 7 July.
The duo who play their trade at local women soccer club, First Touch Academy caught Ellis’ eye during the Sasol League Women’s National Championships in Kimberly in November last year.
Muroa, from Seleteng village in Ga-Mphahlele, was recently voted Goalkeeper of the Tournament during the championships. She said she was honoured to receive the national call up. “I am excited by the prospect of playing against the likes of Sweden and Holland. I will definitely grab the opportunity with both hands if I get a chance to play. I am always inspired by the likes of Noko Matlou and Lebo Ramalepe who have been doing well in the national team while we play with them week in and week out in the Women’s Provincial Soccer League.”
Sebata, a midfielder at the Academy said she was happy to return to the national team after seven years. “The last time I received a call up was in 2011. I have been working very hard because I have been struggling with injuries. I am fortunately fully fit now,” she said.
Banyana Banyana will first take on Holland in the historic Winnie Madikizela Mandela Inauguration Challenge on Saturday at the Cape Town Stadium and tackle Sweden on Tuesday at the same venue. Kick-off time for both matches is billed for 15:00
Congratulating her players, Academy chairperson Mmowa Kekana said their call-up to the national team will inspire female soccer players in the province. “Women’s soccer is not as mens’ soccer. This serves as motivation to other girls who want to play soccer on the international stage. They have shown that there is hope in women’s soccer and with hard work, motivation and dedication in their respective teams they will be rewarded. Muroa and Sebata must represent the club and the province well, they are our ambassadors and we are very proud of them,” Kekana said.
Story: Herbert Rachuene
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