Banyana Banyana head coach Vera Pauw has announced a squad of 24 players to face Equatorial Guinea in the first leg final round of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games qualifiers.
Banyana Banyana head coach Vera Pauw has announced a squad of 24 players to face Equatorial Guinea in the first leg final round of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games qualifiers.
South Africa hosts Equatorial Guinea on Saturday, 3 October at Makhulong Stadium in Tembisa Johannesburg. Kickoff is at 15h00.
Pauw has named an almost unchanged team with the USA duo of Jermaine Seoposenwe and Kelso Peskin, as well as Shiwe Nogwanya back in the team. The trio missed the recently ended African Games that took place in Brazzaville Congo.
The South Africans start camp on Monday, 28 September.
“It is crucial we will have almost all players available. Jermaine and Kelso are able to join us now, while Shiwe has recovered from her injury. Goalkeeper Roxanne Barker is also available – she was with us in Congo but only arrived in time for our third match,” said Pauw.
The Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana played against Cameroon and Ghana in the African Games tournament, as well as Tanzania in a friendly international.
“Those games helped us a great deal with our preparations for Equatorial Guinea. We were able to develop our game to the capacity where we are able to control matters. We also do not give the ball away easily any more. We were able to spend more time together as a team and after one week’s rest we are back in camp to continue with our preparations,” added Pauw.
Banyana Banyana saw off Kenya to set up a date with Equatorial Guinea who deposed of Nigeria in the last round.
“These qualifying games will be crucial for the future of women’s football in Africa. All the teams we played last year have changed their playing system and developed their team organisation. It shows that, although we had not qualified, we made an impact on the development of the game on the continent. The knowledge of the game has improved,” concluded Pauw.
“But now is the time for us to qualify. We have had great programs. We can do it! We are more convinced than ever before. Qualification will change the lives of many girls in future but we are not naïve, as we know the strength of Equatorial Guinea. It will not be an easy match, but with the support of the people of Tembisa and South Africans in general we can do it.”
The second leg will be played on the weekend of 17/18 October in Equatorial Guinea.
The winner will qualify for the Olympic Games, which will take, place from 5 – 21 August 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
BANYANA BANYANA SQUAD TO FACE EG
GOALKEEPERS
| 1. ROXANNE BARKER | Thor/KA | Iceland |
| 2. ANDILE DLAMINI | Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies | Johannesburg |
| 3. YOLULA TSAWE | Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies | Johannesburg |
DEFENDERS
| 4. LEBOGANG RAMALEPE | Maindis FC | Polokwane |
| 5. NOTHANDO VILAKAZI | Palace Super Falcons FC | Johannesburg |
| 6. JANINE VAN WYK | JVW FC | Johannesburg |
| 7. NOKO MATLOU | Maindis FC | Polokwane |
| 8. LERATO KGASAGO | Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies | Johannesburg |
| 9. NOMATHEMBA NTSIBANDE | Springs Home Sweepers | Johannesburg |
| 10. ZAMANDOSI CELE | Durban Ladies FC | Pietermaritzburg |
| 11. KELSO PESKIN | Tyler Junior College | USA |
MIDFIELDERS
| 12. MAMELLO MAKHABANE | JVW FC | Johannesburg |
| 13. ALOCHIA THOBOKELA | Mamelodi Sundowns Ladiesd | Johannesburg |
| 14. AMANDA DLAMINI | University of Johannesburg | Johannesburg |
| 15. SILINDILE NGUBANE | Durban Ladies FC | Pietermaritzburg |
| 16. REFILOE JANE | VUT Ladies | Vaal |
| 17. LEANDRA SMEDA | UWC Ladies | Cape Town |
| 18. NOMPUMELELO NYANDENI | JVW FC | Johannesburg |
| 19. BONGIWE THUSI | Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies | Johannesburg |
STRIKERS
| 20. JERMAINE SEOPOSENWE | Samford University | USA |
| 21. SANAH MOLLO | Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies | Johannesburg |
| 22. SHIWE NOGWANYA | Bloemfontein Celtic | Bloemfontein |
| 23. THEMBI KGATLANA | UWC Ladies | Cape Town |
| 24. RHODA MULAUDZI | Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies | Johannesburg |