14 September 2018 – Under-17 Women National team (Bantwana) coach, Simphiwe Dludlu trimmed down her 44 women squad to 20 players that will travel to Spain for the two friendly matches against Spanish Select sides.

Dludlu kept the bulk of Bantwana players who qualified for this year’s FIFA Women’s Under-17 World Cup in Uruguay, only leaving out four players who are busy with their school third term exams.

The coach said she would have loved to have the four; Yenzokuhle Ngubane, Siphumelele Shamase, Thubelihle Shamase, Yolanda Nduli in her travelling team but added the added players were good enough to make the final team.

Bantwana will use this tour as part of their preparations for the upcoming FIFA Women’s Under-17 World Cup which will take place from 13 November to 1 December 2018.

“Today was the cut off day for the final travelling team,” Dludlu said. “We had a total of 44 players who reported for camp; however, we had to cut down the number to a total of 20 players. We kept the bulk of players who helped us qualify for this year’s FIFA Women’s Under-17 World Cup. Five of the key players from that squad could not report for camp, though. They are currently busy with their school exams.

“The players we brought in as replacements will also form part of the preliminary list which we will submit to FIFA later this month.”

Bantwana leave for Spain on 20 September and will return back to South Africa on 30 September 2018.

South Africa’s national Under-17 women travelling squad