WAFCON QUALIFIERS: Return leg at Lucas Moripe on Monday the last game for our girls in historic 2023

By Sports Reporter

Burkina Faso …..(0)1 (Yasso Konate 68’)

South Africa……..(0)1(Hildah Magaia 56’)

Banyana Banyana were held to a 1-1 draw by Burkina Faso, known as Senior Ladies Stallions, in the first leg of the 2024 WAFCON Qualifiers at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium on Thursday.

The two sides went to the break deadlocked at 0-0 after a physical first half that saw a Thembi Kgatlana goal being disallowed for an offside in the 38th minute.

Janine Van Wyk started the match and captained the side for her 184th cap to level the African record set by Ahmed Hassan (Egypt).

Hildah Magaia, who had not registered her name on the scoresheet in a long time, broke the deadlock in the 56th minute to give the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana a crucial away goal.  However, the lead did not last long as Yasso Konate levelled matters for Burkina Faso in the 68th minute.

Despite numerous attempts from coach Desiree Ellis’  side to get another goal and seal victory, it did not materialise and the teams eventually had to settle for a share of the spoils.

The second leg will be played on Monday, 4 December 2023 at the Lucas Moripe Stadium and will be Live on SABC Sport.  This will be the last fixture for Banyana Banyana in 2023, and the team will return to action in February 2024 to continue with their 2024 Olympic qualifiers.

The team had a successful year as they made history at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup by becoming the first ever South African senior national team to make it to the knockout stages of a FIFA tournament.

Their efforts have been rewarded as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Monday shortlisted Banyana Banyana in the National Team of the Year (women) category in the continental awards to be hosted next month in Morocco.

Other shortlisted candidates are:

Deiree Ellis (Coach of the Year)

Andile Dlamini and Kaylin Swart (Goalkeeper of the Year)

Thubelihle Shamase (Young player of the Year)

Lebohang Ramalepe (Interclub player of the year)

Andile Dlamini, Hilda Magaia, and Thembi Kgatlana (Player of the Year)

Women’s CAF Champions League champions Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies were shortlisted for the Club of the Year.

QUICK FACTS ABOUT HILDAH MAGAIA:

• She was born on December 16, 1994 in Dennilton, Mpumalanga, South Africa. As of this writing, she is 28 years old and her star sign is Sagittarius. She currently resides in Pretoria.Her middle name is Tholakele.
• She attended Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) in Pretoria, South Africa. Hilda Magaia began her football career with South African second-tier side Tuks. Later, she signed for TUT in the South African top flight and played a vital role in helping the team secure their only league title.
• As her career continued to soar, Hilda Magaia made another significant move before the 2022 season when she signed for Sejong Sportstoto in South Korea. The club participates in the WK League, which is the highest level of women’s football in South Korea. This international transfer provided her with new opportunities to showcase her talent on a global stage.

SATCH MODISE LAST HAT TRICK

PROLIFIC: Former Vaal Professionals striker succumbs to illness at home

By Ali Mphaki

Sedibeng Ster journalist, Zacharia Nale  visited the former Vaal Professionals prolific striker at his home in Evaton. On his arrival he found Johannes “Satch” Modise not feeling well.

Nale took the matter to his personal Facebook account to asked assistance for this legend in the form of food parcels.

“I went to visit Bra Satch as I always do to other former professional soccer players to find out how they are doing. Mme Ma Modise told me Bra Satch was not feeling well and a day before she took him to a doctor. He was struggling to walk as he balanced himself with walls,” said the journalist.

He said since lockdown he is struggling and there is no food in the house. Modise said that lately he hasn’t been feeling well. To make it worse, Modise said people like him were forgotten in the community.

For any Good Samaritans who would like to contribute can call the Modise family on this number: 071 338 1702.

Kenneth “Conti” Kubheka and Bricks Mbele were some of the former professional soccer players who called and even went to see Modise. This was in 2020 and the indisputable fact is there was no flurry of calls to that number.

Unlike the roar of the crowds when he was in possession of the ball during his playing days, there was a muted response to his plight.

But early this year the South African Masters and Legends Football Association (SAMLFA) Sedibeng held their monthly meeting at his Evaton home graced by former greats like Super Mofokeng, one of the most talented players to have come out of the Vaal.

Love Moremi and Dr Molefi Oliphant were instrumental in the formation of the SAMLFA in Sedibeng.

Not long ago, former Vaal Professional and Kaizer Chiefs defender Simon “Bull” Lehoko told Sedibeng Ster Sport how Modise joined Vaal Professionals.

Kinda spindly legged, indefatigable, tackle evader par excellent, he had the rare knack of quality players who could single-handledly take the game by the scuff of the neck.

The current generation may resonate to names like David Modise and Teko Modise, but Satch was a combination of the two

One of the outstanding memories for Modise was when he scored a hattrick for Vaal Professionals against Kaizer Chiefs at Boipatong. Moremi said they have lost a soldier in Modise who was a loyal member of SAMLFA Sedibeng until his last day.

“As SAMLFA we want to send our sincere condolences to the Modise family. Bra Satch was one of the best strikers this country produced in the late 70s”, said Moremi.

Modise (77).died on Thursday. He leaves behind his wife, Alina, and two children.

He will be buried on Sunday and the funeral service will take place at Multi House Complex. The funeral service will start at 7:00.