Smiling Assassins’ duo make junior SA World Cup Qualifiers side
- Tshepiso Mametela
The Wits Ladies FC pair of Shakeerah Jacobs and Robyn Coetzee have once again been selected for the SA U/20 football team.
The Wits Ladies FC pair of Shakeerah Jacobs and Robyn Coetzee have it all to celebrate following their latest selection to the South Africa U-20 national side, to do battle against Botswana in the upcoming 2020 African U-20 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers’ 1st and 2nd legs scheduled between 20 to 22 and 27 to 29 March.
Coetzee, who has been part of the U-20 team since the age of 17, admitted that the gushing feeling which she was met by as she strode out in the national junior colours the first time, remains punctuated. The 19-year-old looks forward to the next chapter in her burgeoning career with glee, as one of the now-senior players in the current side.
“I'm among the oldest in the team but I am always willing to learn, even from the young ones, as they sometimes have more experience,” said Coetzee. “We learn from one another and it warms my heart and the hearts of my family members and friends that [I have another opportunity] to be part of the team.”
A BA General student, Coetzee was part of the South Africa team which was beaten by Nigeria in the final round of qualifiers in 2018, subsequently suffering the heartbreak of the dashed hopes of a nation ailing to book a spot to the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup held in France that year. This time, she hopes her experience will go a long in aiding the junior national side’s cause for eventual World Cup qualification.
“I will work hard to remain in the starting 11. My coach (former Banyana Banyana player Nthabeleng Modiko) always reminds us that selection is never permanent and that hard work, effort and dedication all go a long way!” added a hopeful Coetzee.
Her teammate and the Smiling Assassins’ main weapon, Jacobs, beamed excitedly at the prospect of ploughing further to the success of Basetsana. “I want to contribute to the team with goals this next round – at least three. I also want to bring as much effort as possible into training and in each game,” said Jacobs, adding that the experience gained at this level is crucial to her future path in national team colours.
“My selection means that the work I have put into my football is recognized and rewarded. There are more opportunities that are available for me, i.e. international exposure. The national team is also a learning experience and offers the right time to grow my football,” she said.
The second-year BA General Studies student, who is one of six siblings and last year’s Junior Sportswoman of the Year at the Wits Sport Council Awards, will look to fully exploit this current opportunity to good effect, and in the process, make those in her family even more proud. “To represent my country is a big honour at this level. I have had my fair share of ups and downs with soccer, and that is what the game can be sometimes. So, I’m grateful for all the opportunities that come my way,” ended Jacobs.