/ 24 October 2012

Banyana coach believes team ‘in good stead’

Banyana Banyana coach Joseph Mkhonza believes his side's preparations in humid conditions will stand them in good stead ahead of the CAF Championship.
Banyana Banyana coach Joseph Mkhonza believes his side's preparations in humid conditions will stand them in good stead ahead of the CAF Championship.

"Having a national training camp in the humid conditions here in Cameroon was crucial to our build-up to the CAF African Women Championship 2012 as we are likely to find similar conditions in Equatorial Guinea," Mkhonza said on Wednesday.

The side wrapped up their five-day training camp in Yaounde, Cameroon and will jet off to Malabo, Equatorial Guinea on Thursday to put the finishing touches on their preparations for the eight-nation tournament.

The African women's football showpiece kicks-off with Banyana in action in Group A against hosts Equatorial Guinea.

Mkhonza said the spirit in the team was high after their 1-1 draw with Cameroon in an international friendly match in Yaounde on Monday.

He added that the coaching staff had been impressed with the way in which striker Silindile Ngubane and defender Charlotte Mshengu have fitted into the Banyana setup.

"I called Ngubane to the camp after having seen her score 11 goals for Durban Ladies at the Sasol League National Championships held in Durban in July," he said.

"She has already netted for Banyana Banyana in the 1-1 draw with Zimbabwe in Daveyton last week.

"Mshengu is a valuable player as she can play in any of the defensive positions and this could be of major value in a long tournament such as the CAF African Women Championship."

Mshengu made her Banyana Banyana debut as a second-half substitute for Zamandosi Cele, in the international friendly against Cameroon on Monday.

There was, however, bad news from the camp as midfielder Yola Jafta was on her way home due to a hamstring strain.

Following the Group A match against Equatorial Guinea, the South Africans will face Senegal in Malabo on October 31, and will travel to Bata for their encounter with Democratic Republic of Congo on November 3. – Sapa