Banyana Banyana coach Joseph Mkhonza believes a training camp in Stellenbosch in January is paying off in his team’s build-up to the London Olympic Games in July.
The South African women’s team defeated Brazilian club Cepe Caxias 1-0 in the first match of their South American tour in Rio on Tuesday, ahead of the 12-nation Cyprus Women’s Cup which starts at the end of the month.
“We spent a lot of time focussing on our attacking play during the three-week camp held in Stellenbosch,” Mkhonza said.
“It’s paying off, judging by the short passes into space produced by our players in the final third of the field.”
Banyana captain Amanda Dlamini scored the only goal in the opening match of their tour, finding the net in the 77th minute after latching on to a pass from substitute midfielder Memory Makhanya.
“This three-match South American tour is the perfect build up to playing at the Cyprus Women’s Cup,” Mkhonza said.
“We need to commend everyone for creating these opportunities for our country’s top female footballers ahead of our participation at the 2012 London Olympics.”
Banyana face a Navy Select team on Saturday in the second fixture of their tour. — Sapa