IF he had not been unlucky to suffer from a head injury, Banyana Banyana’s stopper, Bambanani Mbane, would have long since reached the record of representing South Africa 100 times in world games.
This was told to the media by Banyana’s head coach, Desiree Ellis, when he spoke to them recently, at the national team’s camp at the Riverside Sports Club, Durban North, Durban.
Banyana are in this city where they will play two friendlies against Algeria on Tuesday at 3 pm at Princess Magogo Stadium, KwaMashu, and King Zwelithini Stadium, Mlaza, on Friday.
This national team feels strong with Algeria just because they are preparing for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) to be held in July in Morocco.
“It’s a blessing for the coach to have a player who doesn’t worry about anything outside the field like Mbane but who gives you everything when he’s on it like him,” said Ellis.
“It is proof of his persistence that he was part of the team that won the WAFCON title, but he was also present in the one that went a long way in the World Cup.
“He suffered from the injury but without it he would have played 100 games for Banyana,” said the coach about this stoppage.
Mbane is not the only one who has the chance to score the most important number of games in Banyana since Karabo Dhlamini will play his 50th game if he is given the chance in these games with Algeria.
“When I went with Dhlamini to the World Cup years ago, there were people who said I was crazy because he was young, but I saw an opportunity to grow him and he is indeed one of the most important players in the team.
“Apart from always raising his hand when needed, Dhlamini has been able to help us in many areas and is gifted when the ball is at his feet,” said Ellis.
Mbane has the opportunity to join the ranks of Banyana who played 100 times and more such as Janine Van Wyk (185), Noko Matlou (174), Nothando Vilakazi (132), Rifiloe Jane (107) and Jermaine Seopesenywe (100).