Hlalele urges South Africa to protect promising Under-23 players

Gloria “Sweet 16” Hlalele believes South Africa’s Under-23 players have the potential to become future Bafana Bafana stars and must receive better protection.

The former Banyana Banyana captain was encouraged by the team’s performance in their 1-1 draw with Algeria yesterday, saying the result mattered less than the quality and promise she saw in the squad.

“I was impressed by what I saw from these boys, who I believe are future Bafana Bafana,” said Hlalele, a pioneer of South African football and one of the founding members of the national women’s team.

South Africa hosted Algeria in their second international friendly at Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein.

Hlalele said the performance had made such an impression that she watched the entire match, despite usually finding it difficult to sit through a full 90 minutes.

“I don’t usually watch a game of football for the entire 90 minutes because many a time I get disappointed,” she said.

“But I watched this one from start to finish… that is how much I was impressed by these boys.”

The former striker and captain then drew comparisons with South Africa’s Under-23 team at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, a side widely regarded as the best and most iconic in the country’s history.

That team produced one of the most memorable results in South African football when it defeated Brazil 3-1 at the Olympic Games.

However, Hlalele said several of the players from that squad did not receive the support and protection she believes young players need. Matthew Booth, Siyabonga Nomvethe, Aaron Mokoena and Quinton Fortune were among those she identified.

Despite that, all four went on to become part of Bafana Bafana.

“We must not make the same mistake with these boys,” said Hlalele.

Hlalele captained South Africa and led the attack during her playing career, helping her teams achieve international success. Among the highlights was victory at the 1993 Gothia Cup, where she was named Player of the Tournament.