While former Banyana Banyana goalkeeper Astrid Van Kesteren acknowledged that she was rather “surprised” with the call-up of her eldest daughter of 16 years, Mia, to the South African u.17 national squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, Mia’s coaches at her Magic Ladies club on the other hand are less so.
It is especially Mia’s current coach with the Tygerberg Premier League girls’ team, Winston Zeederberg, who is amongst those who has expressed his delight and somewhat predictable view at the young goalie’s inclusion in Bantwana, as the u.17 girls’ national side is known.
“She has a big heart and works hard to perfect the basics as it is there,” Zeederberg told No Bones with Jones. “For her age she is doing really well and has improved a lot last season.
“So, yes, I feel she deserved a chance to show her talent, despite the fact that she is not a finished product yet, the thing is that she is good,” Zeederberg added.
It must be noted that the squad will obviously have to be trimmed by seven players. Mia is one of four representatives from the Western Cape included in the enlarged training group.
The others are Salt River Blackpool FC’s duo of Nishaat Levey and Onelitha Nxazonke as well as Mthembu Lethuthando from Stellenbosch FC.
Mia is competing for one of three sports with three other counterparts from Gauteng in the goalkeeping department with the announcement set to be made on Friday.
Meanwhile, mom Astrid, who has been there, done that and has the T-shirt, emphasized that she is very proud of her daughter.
“Her inclusion was a huge surprise to me,” Astrid stated on our website, adding some words of encouragement as any parent, especially a mommy, would do.
“I told Mia to enjoy this experience and learn to continue training hard and show her worth. This is an opportunity for her to be seen,” Astrid concluded.
