Jessica Wade from Alberton, made to squad to take on Zambia in the first round

SOUTH Africa’s National u-20 Women’s team (Basetsana) coach Jabulile Baloyi has named her 21-woman squad for the first round, first leg CAF 2020 Fifa u-20 Women’s World Cup qualifier against Zambia.

Jessica Wade, from Alberton, who plays for JVW Football Club in the East Rand, has made to squad to take on Zambia in the first round.

She was the captain of South Africa’s u-17 women’s team that set a host of new records in September 2019 as they walloped the Seychelles 28-0 in the Cosafa Championship in Mauritius including two double hat-tricks.

It was the biggest score in an international match in Africa‚ the biggest winning margin in a women’s competitive international and the largest margin of victory by any South African team.

She was the first to get a hat trick within the opening 18 minutes and Nabeelah Grant matched her, also completing her hat-trick in the 74th minute.

Wade was a learner at Waterstone College when she was selected for the national u-17 girls team in Spain for the Fifa u-17 World Cup.

The national women junior team will fly out to Lusaka, Zambia, on Thursday, leading up to their Saturday match against the hosts.

That match between South Africa and Zambia will kick off at 3pm at Nkoloma Stadium.

Baloyi, who is a former Banyana Banyana player, said she was happy with the talent she had assembled, adding that her technical staff will work hard to get the team ready.

“What I’m looking for from this team is professionalism, commitment and discipline,” Baloyi said.

“This is the only Safa national squad that is yet to qualify for a Fifa World Cup tournament and I want us to be the first ones to achieve that objective.

“We will work tirelessly as the technical staff to make sure that we push for a positive result in every match that we will be taking part in this Fifa u-20 Women World Cup qualifiers.”

Baloyi, who also led Basetsana to the AUSC Region 5 Games championship title back in 2018 in Botswana, stated that she was happy with the level of international experience that is already present in her squad.

“This squad comprises of the players that I have worked with when we won the AUSC Region 5 Games title back in Botswana in 2018, and the South Africa’s National u-17 players who played at the 2018 Fifa u-17 Women’s World Cup in Uruguay under coach Simphiwe Dludlu, who is now serving as her assistant coach.

“I believe that these players will adjust well as to what is expected from them at this level.

“They have been here before and know what it takes to fight for a Fifa World Cup qualification spot and we expect nothing less from them.”