2 June 2014
South Africa’s national women’s team, Banyana Banyana, will kick off their match preparations for the African Women’s Championship at Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek on Saturday when they take on Namibia in a friendly international.
The South African national women’s team had been scheduled to undertake a West Africa tour, but a late alteration needed to be made to their programme.
Plan derailed
Banyana Banyana coach Vera Pauw explained: “The plan was to go on a West Africa tour and play stronger opponents. It’s unfortunate that we won’t be going as we could not get confirmation from the teams and we couldn’t wait longer as we have to prepare our team.
“I would like to thank Safa [the South African Football Association] and our sponsor Sasol for all their hard work in ensuring that we continue with our planned programme by securing the match against Namibia.”
Friendly international aims
Looking ahead to the clash, Pauw said: “This match will help us build on the good job that the girls have been doing, and also give us time to work on some aspects that need attention.
“We need to play as many games as we can before the tournament,” she added.
Banyana in 2014
Banyana Banyana have played just three matches so far in 2014. In their first outing, against Zimbabwe in April in Johannesburg, they shared a 2-2 draw.
Then, facing the Comoros in an African Women’s Championship qualifier first leg match in Mitsamiouli in May, they overpowered their island opposition 13-0. The Comoros subsequently obtained permission from the Confederation of African Football (Caf) to withdraw from the second leg qualifier.
In early June, Pauw’s charges were in friendly action against Botswana in Vanderbijlpark. They ran out convincing 4-0 winners.
Women’s World Cup qualifier
The African Women’s Championships, which take place in Namibia from 11 to 25 October, will also serve as qualifiers for the 2015 Fifa Women’s World Cup in Canada, with the top three teams qualifying for the showpiece event.
Should South Africa, who finished second in the African Women’s Championship two years ago in Equatorial Guinea, secure a place in Canada, it would be the first time they have qualified for the Women’s World Cup finals.
BANYANA BANYANA SQUAD
Andile Dlamini (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thokozile Mndaweni (Croesus FC), Noko Matlou (Maindis FC), Nothando Vilakazi (Palace Super Falcons), Janine Van Wyk (JVW FC), Nomathemba Ntsibande (Springs Home Sweepers), Simphiwe Dludlu (TUKS Ladies FC), Amanda Dlamini (University of Johannesburg), Gloria Thato (TUKS Ladies), Alocia Thoboka (Mamelodi Sundowns), Sanah Mollo (Mamelodi Sundowns) Lebogang Ramalepe (Maindis FC), Tina Selepe (Palace Super Falcons FC), Leandra Smeda (UWC Ladies), Refiloe Jane (VUT Ladies), Mamello Makhabane (Palace Super Falcons), Mphumi Nyandeni (FC Rossiyanka, Russia), Disebo Mametja (University of Johannesburg), Tshepiso Mokabane (FC Nove Zamky, Slovakia), Shiwe Nongwanya (Bloemfontein Celtics Ladies), Silindile Ngubane (Durban Ladies FC), Ode Fulutudilu (Spurs FC), Chantelle Essau (Palace Super Falcons), Portia Modise (Creosus FC)
SAinfo reporter
