Smiling Assassin trades national team colours in friendly with Banyana
- Tshepiso Mametela
Wits Ladies FC star player Patricia Nkotso traded national team colours as she strode out for her home country, Lesotho, with Banyana Banyana welcoming the Crocodiles for an international friendly hosted at the Tsakane Stadium in Brakpan on March 8.
The South Africa women’s team ran out 3-0 winners with an important encounter, as the build-up to the 2020 Africa Women's Cup of Nations tournament, which kick started for the two countries.
The win ensured Desiree Ellis’ team staked an early claim for prospective honours, first, with a brace from Rhoda Mulaudzi and then a sublime Sibulele Holweni strike, all helping to make early intentions clear. After the game, Wits Sport caught up with Nkotso, who is also a second-year Bachelor of Education student at Wits:
What did feel like to don the Lesotho women’s team colours against South Africa?
I was super happy because I was not only representing Lesotho but the Smiling Assassins (Wits Ladies FC) as well.
How would you describe your involvement in the game and the impact that you had?
I was confident on the ball, even though things did not go well on my side. I think this was because my teammates were scared of our opponents, which made it easy for [Banyana] to penetrate.
Were you pleased with your overall performance and the team dynamics on the day?
I was not happy with my performance because I didn’t get enough time to train with the national team. There was no combination between the person I was playing with and I. Overall, we lacked effective communication.
What do you look forward to in the future with regards to any involvement at national level?
I see myself playing in overseas [leagues] in the future.
Patricia Nkotso during the 2019 USSA Football Tournament