JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. - ETSU women's soccer junior midfielder Sinoxolo Cesane (Cape Town, South Africa) has received a call-up to the South African women’s national team for friendly matches against the United States on September 21 at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati and September 24 at Soldier Field in Chicago. The roster was announced Wednesday for the national team camp September 15-26. 

“I’m really excited about the opportunity to represent my country," Cesane said. "This is something I’ve always dreamed of. I’m really thankful to my teammates and the coaching staff at ETSU and how they’ve pushed me to get better every day. I hope to make everyone at ETSU and Johnson City proud.” 

Playing in an attacking midfield role in 2023, Cesane has three goals in the first five matches for the Buccaneers, scoring in the second half at Tennessee on August 24 and collecting a brace at Gardner-Webb on August 27. 

The call-up reunites Cesane with her twin, Noxolo, a professional player who has won 31 caps for Banyana Banyana. 

“We are incredibly proud of Sino and this accomplishment," said ETSU head coach Jay Yelton. "She has been an integral part of the growth of our program, and we have seen first-hand the special qualities she possesses. We hope to see her take the field in these upcoming matches against the United States.” 

South Africa is coming off an historic run at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, where a 3-2 win over Italy in the final group stage match sent them to the Round of 16 for the first time ever. 

Cesane is the latest ETSU women's soccer player to be called up for senior international duty, joining Austrians Sarah Zadrazil (104 caps), Jenny Poltl (24) and Simona Koren (9), Italian Eleonora Goldoni (6), Swiss Irina Pando-Brutsch (4), and Greek Thomai Vardali (2). Cesane will be the first ETSU player to compete against the USWNT at the senior level.