As African Champions Banyana Banyana put in the final preparations for their Olympics qualifier against Tanzania, a glance at the squad sheet reveals an exciting pattern.
When Banyana defeated Morocco in the final of the Womens' AFCON in 2022, it was a promise kept of what many had already suspected to be true – that this was a golden generation of the South African women's national team.
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A star-studded list included an ever-reliable Refiloe Jane as captain, the experienced and dynamic Jermaine Seoposenwe up front alongside one of the continent's most lethal attackers in Thembi Kgatlana and Hildah Magaia.
That same team had earned their stripes and showed glimpses of their champions calibre in the years prior, winning the COSAFA Cup in 2020.
Banyana went on to make history by being the first South African national team, male or female to make it into the last 16 of FIFA World Cup, eventually losing to the Netherlands.
"I think they (the youngsters) matured, and that gives us a big headache going forward because I also have a list of players I am looking at – not just locally, but abroad as well," Ellis told media after Banyana defeated DR Congo in November 2023.
"We are not only looking at the Olympics but also at the 2027 World Cup. Whether I am here or not, we are looking at all those things.
"We have to make sure that some of these youngsters get more game time before the Olympics."
??Reporting for our first official training session in Dar es Salaam????It's Matchday minus 2??#LiveTheImpossible pic.twitter.com/DsDXSG8Ql1
— Banyana_Banyana (@Banyana_Banyana) February 21, 2024
One of the teams' budding prodigies is Asanda Hadebe. The 19-year-old has represented the South Africa national team at youth level and at the age the green age of 16, made her Banyana debut in the 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers against Mozambique in October 2021
Hadebe, who plays for Sunflower FC in Hammarsdale, KwaZulu-Natal was also a standout performer for Banyana in the 2023 COSAFA Cup.
Speaking exclusively to KickOff, Hadebe shared opened on her experience of Banyana camp.
"It's been great to be part of the team, camp is great and I'm learning a lot," Hadebe said.
"It's difficult because it's a higher level than the Sasol League. It's a lot more faster and very physical. But the senior players have also been very supportive of us (younger players).
"I can say that I'm learning a lot in the time that I have been here. I appreciate the opportunity we've been given by coach Des (Desiree Ellis).
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Hadebe is joined by fellow teenager Nthabiseng Majiya, who won the 22/23 Hollywoodbets Super League Top Scorer of the Season award and 21-year-old Sphumelele Shamase who is the 2023 Hollywood Bets top scorer.
The trio make up the youngest players in the Bafana camp very likely will be a major part of Banyana's next golden generation.