Ellis explains Andile Dlamini’s return, gives reasons on notable absentees
Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis has explained why experienced goalkeeper Andile Dlamini has returned to the national team and provided reasons for some notable absentees from the squad for their European tour.
The SA women’s senior team is set to partake in a European tour where they will face Denmark and England this month.
Ellis’ charges will face Denmark on 25 October 2024 at Aalborg Stadium, Aalborg. The kick-off for this encounter is at 18:00.
Meanwhile, Banyana will then take on England four days later, on 29 October 2024, at Coventry Building Society Arena, Coventry, UK. The showdown will commence at 19:45 [21:45 SA time].
The Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies shot-stopper, Dlamini, has been absent from the national team. The last time she was selected was when Banyana were set to face Nigeria in the final Olympic Qualifier Round in March 2024, but she had to be withdrawn from the squad due to medical reasons.
The last time she was between the sticks for Banyana was when they defeated DR Congo 2-0 in the second leg of the 2024 CAF Women’s Olympic Qualifiers in October 2023.
Dlamini has struggled for game time at Banyana, with coach Ellis revealing that a decision was made to start with Swart because ‘Sticks’ did not have enough playing time at her club.
WHAT DID DESIREE ELLIS SAY ABOUT ANDILE DLAMINI?
The four-time CAF Women’s Coach of the Year stated that she has called up Dlamini because they need her experience as they are going to face top nations.
She further added that this is the same reason why she was included in the SA squad for the World Cup.
“When we called Andile for the World Cup, we had made a decision that we were going to play Kaylin [Swart]. So, Andile didn’t get a lot of game time, but we needed the experience,” said Ellis during the squad announcement.
“Just like now, we need the experience, and that’s why she’s been called up again. It’s a juggling act; when Andile didn’t play at the World Cup, there were lots of questions, and people forgot that she didn’t have enough time, and nobody brought up that she didn’t have much regular playing time at the time.
“But we do need the experience. So, we are not going to play against Mickey Mouse nations. We are going to play against England, who are number two in the world. We are going to play Denmark, who are number 12 in the world. So, you need experience, and you need your best available players.
DESIREE ELLIS ON OMISSION OF SOME KEY PLAYERS
Coach Ellis also clarified the omissions of key players such as Jermaine Seoposenwe, Bongeka Gamede, and Linda Motlhalo.
“It’s sad that we don’t have them [Jermaine Seoposenwe and Bongeka Gamede], but they are not available for selection. The same goes for Linda [Motlhalo]; it’s the same here with the Hollywoodbets Super League, where some players are not playing,” she added.
“It’s unfortunate; we don’t know the reasons why. The fact that the likes of Bongeka are not going to be there means we need the experience. As I said, we are not going to play against other teams; we are going to play against top teams. Therefore, we need that experience.”
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