/ 11 October 2002

Banyana Banyana eye berth in women’s world cup

Banyana Banyana take on Zambia in an African Women’s Nations Cup qualifier at the Seisa Ramabodu stadium, in Bloemfontein on Saturday. The South Africans are just one game away from qualification after thrashing Zambia 4-1 in the first leg in Zambia a few weeks ago — their sole competitive match so far this year.

The squad prepared for the encounter this week with a few friendly matches against the school of excellence squad and Sundowns ladies.

Once again Banyana Banyana will depend on veteran striker Joanne Solomons to take them to the tournament to be held in Nigeria in December. Nigeria are the defending champions and have won this tournament five times since its inception.

This year’s Nations Cup doubles as a qualifier for the women’s world cup to be held in China next September.

Banyana Banyana team manager Fran Hilton Smith said: ”We are looking at getting to the finals of this tournament to book ourselves a place in next year’s world cup.”