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SAFA looking to launch national women's league to aid Banyana Banyana

Speaking at a press briefing at the SAFA headquarters on Wednesday morning, Jordaan gave an in-depth update of the association's books, while highlighting plans and progress of the 'Vision 2022' technical plan.

One particular subject the former Port Elizabeth mayor spent some time on was the intended launch of a national women's league to assist in the development and progression of the women's national teams.

"After a workshop in Durban, we reached a decision that we must form a national league for women's football because, as you know, when Banyana Banyana plays, the players are selected from the Sasol squad, which is the provincial squad," explained Jordaan.

"All national teams are selected from the national league, but in the case of women's football we have provincial leagues, no national league, national team and international qualification.

"Therefore that gap, and when Vera Pauw was here she said, we have to address that gap because a lot of the time, when we last went to the Olympics, I think they were in camp for four months.

"She explained that she needed that time to take the players from a level of provincial participation to international participation. So it takes more time and of course investment to keep the players in camp for four months.

"The question then is: shouldn't we be looking at investing in a national league so that we can have our national team directly from the national league?"

The proposed national league is expected to consist of 12 participating teams, with each of the nine provinces represented alongside Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies, Bloemfontein Celtic Ladies and the winners of the University League.

Asked when they will be looking to launch the league, Jordaan added: "This is a proposal, if it's approved by the National Executive Committee in July, we'll probably look towards the end of the year for the launch.

"Of course it will take time to identify the teams, the grounds where they will play and get all the logistics in place. If not towards the end of the year then certainly next year it will happen."

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