BLOEMFONTEIN Celtic Ladies FC striker Melinda Kgadiete is itching to make her Banyana Banyana debut when they play two matches against Sweden this week.
Banyana will play Sweden behind closed doors on Thursday, before a full international friendly three days later at the Cape Town Stadium (2pm).
This is a match that will give Banyana’s interim coach, Desiree Ellis, a chance to see where she needs to reinforce in her squad before this year’s Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (Women’s Afcon) qualifier in Ghana.
Africa’s top three finishers at the Women’s Afcon will automatically qualify for the 2019 Women’s World Cup in France, from 7 June to 7 July.
Kgadiete, who hails from the Eastern Cape, is one of the five new players who impressed Ellis during the Sasol League National Championships in Mpumalanga.
Other impressive players included in the national champs are Yonelo Keto, Kgaelebane Mohlakoana, Neliswa Luthuli and Sduduzo Dlamini.
Kgadiete scored five goals in the tournament and wants to transfer that form to Banyana, but she admitted it’s not going to be a walk in the park.
She faces tough competition from equally talented Thembi Kgatlana, Jermaine Seoposenwe and Chantelle Esau in attack.
Talking to SunSport yesterday, Kgadiete said: “This is one in a lifetime opportunity for me. I must make it count. I’ve always had a dream of playing for my country, and now it is about to come true. I will play to be remembered. I am obviously nervous, but looking forward to the challenge.
“The best debut will be winning both games. I know it’s never easy but with the hardworking teammates I have, we can do it.
“There’s always pressure to bring out the best in yourself. But I’m going to learn a lot from experienced players such as Leandra Smeda and Jermaine (Seoposenwe).
