Banyana’s Fulutidilu wants a fighting chance to prove herself after WAFCON snub
FC Fleury 91 striker Ode Fulutidilu wants a fighting chance to prove herself after the WAFCON snub in July.
The 32-year-old was not part of coach Desiree Ellis’ final 23-member squad to represent South Africa at the WAFCON.
After Ellis’ WAFCON squad announcement, one name that repeatedly popped up on the socials was Ode Fulutidilu. Fans kept asking, “where is Ode?” as they argued that the talented goalscorer would bring experience to Banyana’s attacking options.
In an exclusive interview with FARPost, the ex-Glasgow City striker set the records straight. She explained how she felt when she was left out of the squad without “a chance to be looked at.”
FULUTIDILU SPILLS THE BEANS…
“I was disappointed at the fact that I was not even given the opportunity to be looked at for WAFCON.
“But you know even in high-level football these things happen. Coaches leaving out players that a lot of people feel like they deserve to be there,” she said.
“But at the end of the day, it isn’t about who’s deserving but what the coach feels is best for the group.”
When asked if coach Ellis has ever contacted her to explain her exclusion, she said: “No”.
“The coach has never contacted me. Banyana isn’t my home; it’s a national team where if you get called, you get called. Not every single person deserves an explanation for everything, and I have to respect that.
“In the past, when I was still in Finland, I was in contact with the coach. However, the contact did stop after that. From my side, I don’t know any particular reason for that, and she doesn’t owe me any explanation.”
WHAT FULUTIDILU HOPES FOR…
“I hope in the future I’ll be given a fair chance to be on the field with other players. [I want] to show how I can compete against them. I’m in an extremely high-level environment, one of the top three leagues in Europe.
“I think being where I am and having the training that I’m having every single day, going forward in the new year, hopefully, the coach will give me a fighting chance to prove myself,” she added.
The speedy forward made it clear that she is still open to Banyana’s call-up and she will never decline it.
“My heart and my mind are always open to Banyana call-up. I’ll never turn down an opportunity to represent South Africa,” Fulutidilu further stated.
“I also understand that there is also a competitive league in South Africa. A lot of players deserve to be given a fair chance to show what they are capable of in tournaments and national team camps.”
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