THE South African Football Association has urged South Africans to rally round Banyana Banyana in the CAF African Women's Championships that start on October 31.
Banyana take on Mali in a preparatory match at Makhulong Stadium on Saturday.
Speaking at the announcement of the Banyana squad for the Mali match in Cape Town yesterday, Safa vice- president Chief Mwelo Nonkonyana encouraged football fans across the country to give Banyana their full support as they look to make the final of the championships.
The finalists will represent Africa at the Fifa Women's World Cup in Germany in June next year.
Nonkonyana said: "During the 2010 Fifa World Cup the Rainbow Nation supported Bafana Bafana. Now is the time to give the national senior women's football team the same amount of respect and support."
Banyana Banyana squad is:
GOALKEEPERS - Thoko Mndaweni, Wendy Bellora;
DEFENDERS - Simphiwe Dludlu (captain), Emily Mogotlhe, Nothando Vilakazi, Simphiwe Masina, Amanda Sister, Yola Jafta, Janine van Wyk;
MIDFIELDERS - Sana Mollo, Nocawe Sikiti, Nthabeleng Modiko, Mary Ntsweng, Gabisile Hlumbane, Elson Matjila;
FORWARDS - Noko Matlou, Mamphasha Popela, Leandra Smeda, Andiswe Mgcoyi and Mamello Makhabane.