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Pauw names Banyana squad to face USA

Cape Town - Head coach of the South African Senior Women’s National Team, Vera Pauw has named 25 players in the travelling party to the USA where her charges will face the hosts - reigning Olympic and World Champions - in an international friendly match.

Pauw has kept the bulk of the team that has done duty for the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana since the Olympic qualifiers.

The Banyana Banyana mentor needs only 18 + four additional players for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games - and this means from the 25 that is travelling to the USA, three will not be going to Brazil.

She will make her final decision when the squad returns from the USA, but the identity of the players will only be known on Thursday, 14 July when SASCOC makes the announcement at a press conference to reveal Team South Africa.

For the clash against the USA, Pauw has recalled midfielder Robyn Moodaly who has been out injured and the Banyana Banyana coach this was done after careful consideration.

“Robyn had a knee operation and she has been undergoing rehabilitation in the US," said Pauw in a statement released by SAFA.

"During the process she developed bacterial infection on the same knee, which held back her healing process but we are grateful for the rehabilitation she received abroad.

"Up to this point she had looked doubtful that she will be fit on time, but this past week at training we saw a different perspective. It is now up to her to see if she will be ready to play any part in the Olympics.

"The Olympics are the biggest sporting event in the world, so we also need to be sure that she can play her part before we include her in the final list.

"At the moment it seems as if she is jumping the queue in the squad selection, but she has been working very hard on a daily basis to reach the level that she is at now - and all of that has been happening behind the scenes. Now that she is here with us we are able to do further assessments and evaluation."

Three players have been placed on standby from the 28 that was in camp - Bongiwe Thusi, Mapaseka Mpuru and Rhoda Mulaudzi.

They will be called up only if there is an injury or a serious reason why a player already on the list to the Olympics can’t go.

The South Africans wrap up their preparations on Tuesday morning (5 July) before departing for Chicago, Illinois where the match will take place on Saturday, 9 July at Soldier Field.

Kick-off is at 19:00 (SA time).

The game against the US Women’s National Team will be a great test for Banyana Banyana to gauge their level against the top-ranked team in the world. As three-time Olympic gold medal winners, the US team holds the top spot on the FIFA Women’s World ranking table, making them one of the most successful women’s soccer nations in history.

Banyana Banyana Squad vs USA

Goalkeepers: Roxanne Barker (SC Heerenveen, Holland), Andile Dlamini (Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies, Johannesburg), Kaylin Swart (Menlo College, USA)

Defenders: Lebohang Ramalepe (Maindis FC, Polokwane), (Nothando Vilakazi, Palace Super Falcons FC, Johannesburg), Janine van Wyk (JvW FC, Johannesburg) Noko Matlou (Maindis FC), Lerato Kgasago (Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies), Nomathemba Ntsibande (Springs Home Sweepers, Johannesburg) Bambanani Mbane (Bloemfontein Celtic Ladies),  Lebogang Mabatle (Tuks, Pretoria)

Midfielders: Mamello Makhabane (JvW FC), Amanda Dlamini (JvW FC), Silindile Ngubane (Durban Ladies FC, Pietermaritzburg), Refiloe Jane (Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies) Leandra Smeda (UWC Ladies, Cape Town) Nompumelelo Nyandeni (JvW FC), Linda Motlhalo (JvW FC), Stephanie Malherbe (Texas A & M University, USA), Robyn Moodaly (University of Northwestern Ohio, USA)

Forwards: Sanah Mollo (Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies), Shiwe Nogwanya (Bloemfontein Celtic Ladies) Thembi Kgatlana (UWC Ladies), Chantelle Essau (Palace Super Falcons FC), Jermaine Seoposenwe (Samford University, USA)

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