After a stunning performance at the 2017 Sasol League National Championship held in Nelspruit last month, Yonela Keto has been rewarded with a Banyana Banyana call-up.
The Thunderbirds left-back, 20, was ecstatic to have made the 26-women squad named by interim head coach Desiree Ellis. The team is scheduled to clash against Sweden in two weeks time.
The Libode-born Grade 11 pupil will head for the Banyana camp, which assembles on January 14. She said she has not been resting or even indulging in festive treats because “fitness is everything to a player”.
“This is a huge achievement for me and it has made me realise that I should not waste any opportunity I get. I’ve been training every week because I know it’s not going to be easy at the camp.
“I want to make the starting line-up so I can show people what I can do on the pitch. This is where I’ve always wanted to be and I want to elevate the Eastern Cape and give it the respect it deserves.”
Keto said she has always found refuge in sport and she would encourage the youth to find their favourite sport and play because that might just save them from trouble.
“I grew up playing soccer with the boys in my neighbourhood and I’ve never stopped and I can tell you now that I’ve made it past things that other girls were not fortunate enough to avoid, like getting pregnant. Playing soccer was always my first love. There’s nothing else that I’m looking at besides school and I’m sure that if I wasn’t playing I would not be the person I am today.
“I want to thank my club and most especially coach Apleni for sticking by me and making sure that I’m in top form. He really helped and even going to the national champs was because of him. That man believed in me when no-one else did.’’
Thunderbirds coach Thembalethu Apleni said one of his proudest moments was during the last game at the Sasol National Championships against Bloemfontein Celtic where Keto won the Diski Queen of the match accolade following her stunning performance to earn a call-up to the national team.
“During that game she did wonders on the pitch. She created most of our goals during the whole tournament and I’m very proud because all her hard work is paying off.
“What makes me happier is to have four players that are recognised nationally in Kholosa , Zimasa , Nanasele, although two of them are in the U20 squad,” added Apleni.
The first game will be a practice match on January 18 behind closed doors and the second encounter will be an international friendly inCape Town on January 21.
Libode soccer player gets Banyana call-up reward
The Thunderbirds left-back, 20, was ecstatic to have made the 26-women squad named by interim head coach Desiree Ellis. The team is scheduled to clash against Sweden in two weeks time.
The Libode-born Grade 11 pupil will head for the Banyana camp, which assembles on January 14. She said she has not been resting or even indulging in festive treats because “fitness is everything to a player”.
“This is a huge achievement for me and it has made me realise that I should not waste any opportunity I get. I’ve been training every week because I know it’s not going to be easy at the camp.
“I want to make the starting line-up so I can show people what I can do on the pitch. This is where I’ve always wanted to be and I want to elevate the Eastern Cape and give it the respect it deserves.”
Keto said she has always found refuge in sport and she would encourage the youth to find their favourite sport and play because that might just save them from trouble.
“I grew up playing soccer with the boys in my neighbourhood and I’ve never stopped and I can tell you now that I’ve made it past things that other girls were not fortunate enough to avoid, like getting pregnant. Playing soccer was always my first love. There’s nothing else that I’m looking at besides school and I’m sure that if I wasn’t playing I would not be the person I am today.
“I want to thank my club and most especially coach Apleni for sticking by me and making sure that I’m in top form. He really helped and even going to the national champs was because of him. That man believed in me when no-one else did.’’
Thunderbirds coach Thembalethu Apleni said one of his proudest moments was during the last game at the Sasol National Championships against Bloemfontein Celtic where Keto won the Diski Queen of the match accolade following her stunning performance to earn a call-up to the national team.
“During that game she did wonders on the pitch. She created most of our goals during the whole tournament and I’m very proud because all her hard work is paying off.
“What makes me happier is to have four players that are recognised nationally in Kholosa , Zimasa , Nanasele, although two of them are in the U20 squad,” added Apleni.
The first game will be a practice match on January 18 behind closed doors and the second encounter will be an international friendly inCape Town on January 21.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos