Home Sport Nthabiseng Majiya in Banyana Awcon squad

Nthabiseng Majiya in Banyana Awcon squad

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Majiya was among the six strike options selected by coach Desiree Ellis for the side. The assembled team numbered 33 and was whittled down to 22 with an additional two home reserves.

Nthabiseng Majiya (left), who made the cut into the Banyana Banyana team, with sports scout Brenda Mafunisa. Picture: Supplied

Nthabiseng Majiya, the Richmond United Ladies FC goal-getter, on Monday morning made it onto the final team selection for the national women’s football team that will compete in the African Women’s Cup of Nations (Awcon) in Morocco from July 2-23.

An excited Richmond United owner Amichand Amsterdam sent out an alert about his player’s selection.

Majiya was among the six strike options selected by coach Desiree Ellis for the side. The assembled team numbered 33 and was whittled down to 22 with an additional two home reserves.

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Amsterdam pointed out that Majiya was actually a native of the Free State town of Philippolis. He said he was excited his players were getting noticed by the national team managers and was hoping that even more of his players could get a crack at playing in a national side.

Majiya is the only one from the province’s only professional team that campaigns in the Hollywoodbets sponsored Super League. Richmond United coach Edward Lisene congratulated his player on being selected to the national squad.

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Lisene explained that he had spotted Majiya while she was playing for a Local Football Association side in the Free State. He had recruited her and was primed to sign Majiya with Bloemfontein Celtics Ladies FC whom he was coaching at the time. However, he failed to sign her on due to unrelated issues at the club.

He had decided to pursue his coaching interests elsewhere and found Richmond United to whom he had recommended they sign on Majiya.

“Right now she (Majiya) is our top striker at United. In the first season with the club she became the second topmost goalscorer in the women’s league. She was the second top goal scorer at 24, while the top scorer in the league had 27 goals. In this season she scored eight goals and is currently joint top goalscorer at the club and the league.

“She is still young. As matters stand she is competing against top overseas strikers in terms of her goals tally. At age 18 she has a bright football future ahead in the national teams and the other junior women’s sides. She might even earn another call-up to any one of the other women’s junior squads.”

The national women’s team has been in camp since last Friday.

The 14th edition of the Awcon competition will also serve as qualifiers for the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup which will take place in Australia and New Zealand.

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