Your background doesn\u2019t determine your future, that was evident as Lelethu Samsam who received her first call up to the Banyana Banyana team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She forms part of the team that will participate in the COSAFA Women\u2019s Cup to be held in Nelson Mandela Bay in Eastern Cape. The tournament will start on Wednesday 31 August and finish on Sunday 11 September. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Samsam will jet off to join her teammates on Sunday 28 August. The first game for Banyana is on Wednesday 31 August against Angola .<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Samsam\u2019s call-up came at right time during the Women\u2019s Month, a massive motivation for young women who are playing football. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 17-year-old from Barcelona informal settlement in Gugulethu said the Banyana Banyana call up is a dream come true for her. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
She stated that she didn\u2019t anticipate that it could be so soon. \u201cI have mixed feelings about the call up. I\u2019m excited but at the same time I\u2019m scared because the standard is high in the national squad,\u201d she said, but vowed to do her best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Cape Town Roses FC player, a Gugulethu-based side, said it is her time to shine and promised not to disappoint her family and supporters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Samsam said she started playing football at Roses at the age of 11. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI grew up in Roses structures. I never played for another team. Everything that I know about football I learnt from the club,\u201d she stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Roses coach Xolile Madikane described Samsam as a very disciplined player. He said he had goosebumps when he received a message that Samsam had been selected for Banyana. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSamsam is not the first player to play for the national squad from Barcelona. Mihle Luniko played for the u-17 and u-20 national team. Soniko Mzingeli also played for u-17 and u-20. All of them are from Barcelona,\u201d explained Madikane. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said even Samsam played for the u-17 and u-20 national teams. However, he stated that it is the first time receiving a call up from Banyana. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Madikane described Roses as a well organised club in Gugulethu. He stated that the team was established in 1999. \u201cMy aim was to keep the children away from wrongdoing on the streets,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Your background doesn\u2019t determine your future, that was evident as Lelethu Samsam who received her first call up to the Banyana Banyana 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