Banyana Banyana defender Gabisile Hlumbane says South Africa’s focus on endurance and strength will stand them in good stead for the 12-nation Cyprus Women’s Cup at the end of February.
Hlumbane has made 24 international appearances for the South African women’s soccer team since making her debut two years ago.
“The three-week national training camp held in Stellenbosch last month was worth its weight in gold in terms of increasing the physical strength of the players as well as focusing on their endurance levels,” Hlumbane said.
“I have no doubt that this Banyana Banyana team is the fittest group of national team players that I have been privileged to play alongside.”
Hlumbane is one of the 22 Banyana players attending a training camp in Teresopolis near Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The visitors will play a practice match against Selecao do Marinha on Saturday.
The South Africans won the first match of their South American tour with a 1-0 triumph over Brazilian club side Cepe Caxias on Tuesday.
Only goal
Banyana skipper Amanda Dlamini scored the only goal of the match in the 77th minute.
“A lot of effort has been put in to ensure we prepare thoroughly for the Olympics. As players and the entire team we need to be grateful to Safa and our sponsor for arranging these training camps,” said Hlumbane.
“With so much work going on in Brazil we should be physically fit for the Cyprus outing and we will be able to gauge our progress after that tournament.”
Hlumbane felt another positive for Banyana was the fact that several of their players could play in a variety of positions across the field.
“This creates many more options for coach Joseph Mkhonza when it comes to team selection,” she said.
“It also helps us players not to relax but work even harder knowing that when we are not doing well there is always someone who can take over the position.” — Sapa