Banyana Banyana captain Janine van Wyk says they are very much aware that the second leg fourth round clash against Equatorial Guinea is the last hurrah for South Africa to get to the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil next year.
Banyana Banyana captain Janine van Wyk says they are very much aware that the second leg fourth round clash against Equatorial Guinea is the last hurrah for South Africa to get to the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil next year.
Banyana Banyana and Equatorial Guinea face off in a decider to see who will make it to the Games.
The two sides played to a goalless draw in the first leg on Saturday, 3 October at the Makhulong Stadium in Tembisa.
The second leg will be played on Sunday, 18 October at Estádio de Bata in Equatorial Guinea.
Kickoff is at 16h00 local time in Bata (17h00 SA time).
The winner of this match qualifies for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games in Brazil.
“Equatorial Guinea seemed more than happy with a draw last week. It was almost clear that that’s what they came here for. They left here highly confident, believing they will make it very difficult for us in their backyard,” said Van Wyk.
“As a team we know it’s just one hurdle to overcome – just 90 minutes to get to Brazil. We know we have only one more chance to qualify and we all are aware it’s do or die for us. There are no other chances, no more games to play – the second leg is the last hurrah for us. It’s 90 minutes which will determine whether we qualify for Rio or not, and we are confident we can do it.”
The Banyana Banyana captain is also happy with the work ethic of the team in the first leg but laments not converting the chances that came their way.
“I believe we played very well, the overall performance was pleasing and I think we displayed some of our best football especially in the second half where we controlled the proceedings. The only thing that still lacks in our play is scoring goals – I mean we create such beautiful chances but can’t put the ball in the back of the net and that is something we have to get right in the away leg,” added Van Wyk.
“Now our focus is to go there and capitalize on their weaknesses. We know it will be different in the second leg because they will be playing at home and they will have much more energy than on Saturday.”
She had praise for the way the Sasol Banyana Banyana squad worked together, especially her fellow defenders.
“We kept them away from our goals and did not concede, which is a positive thing for us. We went into the game knowing we didn’t want to concede so it’s a job well done in that aspect, it is perhaps one of the positives from the match. They hardly had any clear cut chances in front our goals,” said the captain.
“Our goalkeeper, Roxanne had to deal with two or three shots in the 90 minutes which means we were on top of our game, we just lacked scoring goals. We have to do everything possible to make sure that any opportunity we get in the second leg we put the goal away – that would put them under pressure and will lift our game even more. Should we do that, we know that we are almost home and dry.”