Banyana Banyana assembled in Johannesburg on Tuesday to start preparing for Sunday’s Athens Olympic Games qualifier against Angola in Soweto.
‘We are delighted that our two overseas-based players [Veronica Phewa and Antonio Carelse] are already in camp,†said Banyana Banyana coach Gregory Mashilo.
‘We are expecting a tough match by virtue of Angola being a closed book. Our plan is to score as many goals as possible on Sunday in order to ease the pressure for the return match.”
The South African senior women’s national soccer side qualified for the second round after eliminating neighbours Namibia, while Angola beat Zimbabwe.
Mashilo, who guided Banyana Banyana to the final of the All-Africa Games in Nigeria where they lost to the hosts, the Super Falcons, has added Maud Khumalo from the team that beat Namibia.
‘We have selected the strongest possible squad to represent South Africa and the technical staff is convinced that Angola will also be shown the exit in the tournament.
‘We are working hard at training to ensure that we qualify for the Olympics finals in Greece in August,†said Mashilo, the former Pretoria Callies player.
‘It won’t be easy because the winner of our match [SA vs Angola] will face the winner of the Nigeria-Ghana qualifier in order to proceed to Greece.â€
Some of the key Banyana Banyana players selected for Sunday’s game include captain Delisiwe Mbatha, Nandipha Mlomo, Portia Modise, veteran Khabo Zitha and Jo-Anne Solomons.
Angola are expected in Johannesburg later this week. — Sapa