Cape Town - Amanda Dlamini’s Banyana Banyana career started with a drubbing at the hands of Nigeria, but on Saturday she will earn her 100th cap against world champions United States.
That 5-0 defeat to Nigeria was in an Olympic qualifier in 2007, and Banyana didn’t make it to the 2008 Beijing Games. But Dlamini led South Africa to the 2012 London Olympics, where they drew one and lost two.
They will be hoping for better results in the Rio Games next month, where they are drawn in Group E with hosts Brazil, Sweden and China. But before that, there is the little matter of taking on world and Olympic champions United States on Saturday in Chicago (7pm SA time kickoff), an historic first encounter between the two countries.
“What makes it even more special is that it could happen against the top-ranked nation in the world in women’s football, who are also the Olympic and world champions – what more can I ask for? I am really looking forward to this,” Dlamini told the Safa website on Friday on the eve of her 100th game.
“It has always been a dream of mine to play for the national team, I have never wanted to do anything else but play football. I am what I am today because of the game. I have given so much to the game, and to see myself so close to the 100 caps makes me very emotional.”
Dlamini will celebrate her 28th birthday later this month, and has had a stellar career for the national team. She hails from Harding in KwaZulu-Natal, and started her journey with Durban Ladies FC.
She is a midfielder and has scored 24 goals for Banyana, and will become the fifth South African to reach 100 caps behind captain Janine van Wyk (130), Nompumelelo Nyandeni, Portia Modise (both 124) and Noko Matlou (123).
Dlamini is a brand ambassador for underwear company Jockey SA, and still plays for Durban Ladies FC.
A former Banyana captain, she will face the biggest test of her career at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois on Saturday against the powerful Americans, who won the World Cup three times – the last one coming in Canada last year.
Dlamini could come up against US captain Carli Lloyd, who is also a midfielder and was voted the Fifa Women’s Player of the Year in 2015. Lloyd was the leading goal-scorer in the World Cup and grabbed a hat trick in the final against Japan.
“At the end of the day this is not about me, but the team,” Dlamini said. “We must not lose sight of why we are here. Personal glory comes after the team. We are here to prepare for the Olympics Games, we are here to represent our country and we are here to defend our flag – once we have done that, only then can we start celebrating personal glories.
“We are playing a strong nation and it will be a very difficult match. They are more experienced, but we will do the best we can to get a positive result.”
Squads For Chicago
Banyana Banyana
Goalkeepers: Roxanne Barker, Andile Dlamini, Kaylin Swart.
Defenders: Lebohang Ramalepe, Nothando Vilakazi, Janine van Wyk (captain), Noko Matlou, Lerato Kgasago, Nomathemba Ntsibande, Bambanai Mbane, Lebogang Mabatla.
Midfielders: Mamello Makhabane, Amanda Dlamini, Silindile Ngubane, Refiloe Jane, Leandra Smeda, Nompumelelo Nyandeni, Linda Mothalo, Stephanie Malherbe, Robyn Moodaly.
Forwards: Sanah Mollo, Shiwe Nogwanya, Thembi Kgatlana, Chantelle Esau, Jermaine Seoposenwe.
Stand-by: Mapaseka Mpuru, Rhoda Mulaudzi, Bongiwe Thusi.
United States
Goalkeepers: Ashlyn Harris, Alyssa Naeher, Hope Solo.
Defenders: Whitney Engen, Jaelene Hinkle, Julie Johnston, Meghan Klingenberg, Ali Krieger, Gina Lewandowski, Kelley O’Hara, Becky Sauerbrunn, Emily Sonnett.
Midfielders: Morgan Brian, Tobin Heath, Lindsey Horan, Carli Lloyd (captain), Allie Long, Samantha Mewis, Heather O’Reilly, Megan Rapinoe.
Forwards: Crystal Dunn, Alex Morgan, Christen Press, Mallory Pugh.
ashfak.mohamed@inl.co.za
@IndyCapeSport
Independent Media