26 July 2018 – SAFA President, Dr Danny Jordaan, the architect of Vision 2022, says despite Bafana Bafana missing being part of the FIFA World Cup in Russia, the successes of other National Teams showed how alive the dream was.

The South Africa u17 Women’s National Team, Bantwana have qualified for the FIFA World Cup in Uruguay. The tournament will take place in November this year.

At the same time, the Senior Women’s National Team, Banyana Banyana will be taking part in the CAF Women AFCON tournament which is scheduled for Ghana while Amajita have just qualified for next year’s Junior Africa Cup of Nations tournament scheduled for Niger.

Amajimbos, the u17 Men’s National Team should complete an amazing year for South African teams by qualifying for AFCON tournament as well.

Below see the profiles of the successful NATIONAL TEAMS:

South Africa’s National Under-20 (Amajita) Head Coach

Name: Thabo Senong

Age: 37

Place of Birth: Pimville, Soweto

Qualified: AFCON Under-20 2016 & 2018 and 2017 FIFA Under-20 World Cup

Previous coaching career: Spent five years at Orlando Pirates juniors and a year at Mamelodi Sundowns development structures

Best Achievement in career: Qualifying for the 2017 Fifa U-20 World Cup and also winning the Cosafa U-20 Cup

 

South Africa’s National Under-17 Women’s Team (Bantwana) Head Coach

Name: Simphiwe Dludlu

Age: 30

Place of Birth: Alexandra, Johannesburg

Qualified: 2018 Fifa U-17 Women’s World Cup

Previous coaching career: University of Pretoria women’s football team (2011– 2016).

Best Achievement in career: Leading Bantwana into 2018 Fifa U-17 World Cup Uruguay edition.

 

South Africa’s National Senior Women’s Team (Banyana Banyana) Head Coach

Name: Desiree Ellis

Age: 55

Place of Birth: Cape Town

Qualified: 2018 Africa Women Cup of Nations

Previous coaching career: Spurs Ladies FC (2006 – 2016)

Best Achievement in career: Banyana Banyana winning the Caf Women’s National Team of the Year for 2017, Becoming the first South African to win the Cosafa Women’s Championship both as player (2002) and coach (2017).

 

South Africa’s national Under-17 men’s team (Amajimbos) head coach

Name: Molefi Ntseki

Age: 49

Place of Birth: Excelsior, Free State

Qualified: Afcon Under-17 2015 and 2015 Fifa U17 World Cup

Previous coaching career: Welkom Stars FC head coach (1998–2002); Founder & coach of Harmony Sports Academy (2002–2007); African Warriors FC head coach (2007–09); Former national under-20 & Under-23 assistant coach.

Best Achievement in career: Leading the then Vodacom League (now known as the ABC Motsepe League) side, Welkom Stars FC, to NFD promotion with less experience as head coach; reaching the final of the 2015 Africa U17 Cup of Nations; Qualifying for the 2015 Fifa U17 World Cup Chile edition.