London Olympics bound Banyana Banyana will travel to Tanzania on Friday, 18 May to face their East African counterparts in an international friendly match to be played in Dar Es Salaam on Sunday.
The Sasol-sponsored national women’s football side will use the clash (4pm SA time) as preparation for the upcoming African Women’s Championship (AWC) qualifier against Zambia, while at the same time building the momentum for the 2012 London Olympic Games later this year.
The AWC qualifier will be played in Zambia on Saturday, 26 May 2012.
The Banyana Banyana squad is currently in camp at the North West University High Performance Institute in Potchefstroom and head coach, Joseph Mkhonza has selected 18 players to represent South Africa in Tanzania.
ÔÇ£This friendly match against Tanzania is very crucial for us as we prepare for the AWC qualifiers. It is important for the team to take on strong international competition on the road to the Olympics as we will be playing away. We haven’t played a match since March and the Sasol League is in recess, so these training camps and the friendly matches are helping to keep the players in good physical condition,ÔÇØ said Mkhonza.
The Banyana Banyana technical team has taken a different approach to training the squad by dividing them into their different positions on the field.
ÔÇ£Dividing the players into their various on-field departments has helped us greatly in focusing on these departments individually. It enables us to tackle the different field movements as well as positions and also allows us to work on set-pieces. We’ve had a serious lack in the goal scoring department but within the two days we’ve implemented this programme we’ve seen plenty improvement,ÔÇØ said Mkhonza.
Banyana Banyana midfielder, Kylie Ann Louw will join her team mates on Thursday, 17 May.ÔÇ¿ÔÇ¿The South Africans will arrive back in the country on Monday, 21 May 2012.
Banyana Banyana squad to take on Tanzania
Thokozile Mndaweni ÔÇô UJ Ladies FC
Roxanne Barker ÔÇô Pepperdine University
Nothando Vilakazi┬á ÔÇô┬á Super Falcon
Amanda Sister ÔÇô Liverpool Ladies FC
Janine van Wyk ÔÇô Palace Super Falcon
Zamandosi Cele ÔÇô Durban Ladies FC
Gabisile Hlumbane ÔÇô Kovsies
Lebogang Mabatle Halleluyah ÔÇô Zebra Force
Refiloe Jane ÔÇô Sundowns Ladies
Kylie-Ann Louw ÔÇô Stephen F Austin (USA)
Mary Ntsweng ÔÇô TUT Ladies FC
Robyn Moodaly ÔÇô High Performance Centre
Leandra Smeda ÔÇô Cape Town Roses
Amanda Dlamini (c) ÔÇô UJ Ladies FC
Noko Matlou ÔÇô UJ Ladies FC
Sanah Mollo ÔÇô Bloemfontein Celtics
Andisiwe Mgcoyi ÔÇô Sundowns Ladies
Portia Modise ÔÇô Palace Super Falcon