After a 10-hour and 25 minute flight from Johannesburg to Frankfurt in Germany, plus a further four-hour road trip, the South African Senior Women’s National Team, Banyana Banyana, arrived at their destination – Waalwijk, in The Netherlands.
After a 10-hour and 25 minute flight from Johannesburg to Frankfurt in Germany, plus a further four-hour road trip, the South African Senior Women’s National Team, Banyana Banyana, arrived at their destination – Waalwijk, in The Netherlands.
The Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana are in the European country to face the hosts in two international friendly matches.
These will take place on Saturday, 4 June and Tuesday, 7 June with a kickoff of 15h00 and 19h00 respectively.
Both clashes will be played at the Mandemakers Stadium in Waalwijk and are part of preparations for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games starting in August.
Technical Director of Women’s Football at SAFA, Fran Hilton-Smith, saw the team off and wished them well.
“This is the beginning of our final preparations for the Olympics. As you know the Netherlands is the only country that has come out to play South Africa. They played us twice many years ago, and during that time coach Vera was with them so she knows what they are like and they know what we are like. It is now a fitting tribute that we go back to the Netherlands in our preparations for the Olympics. It is an opportunity for many of you to see the world, and it gives you a chance to live and learn as you play football – and that is the aim of SAFA, to empower people with knowledge and experience,” said Hilton-Smith.
She added that the trip was also to remind players that they are ambassadors.
“You have two matches to play in The Netherlands, and after that you face the USA who are the world champions – so we couldn’t have had a better preparation for the Olympics as we go forward with the plans that are unfolding. It’s also a big thanks to Sasol for all the support because without money you cannot do anything. I would like to wish you well and remind you to carry the flag of South Africa high. Remember you are the ambassadors of our country and everything you do or say, you are the reflection of the South African Football Association, and South Africa. I hope that you learn as much as you can, so that you are better prepared when we travel to the Olympics,” she said.
The Orange Lionesses are ranked 13th in the world, while South Africa is in position 54.
The South Africans have another high profile encounter against Women’s World Champions, the USA scheduled for Saturday, 9 July 2016.
It will be played Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois in the USA.
Kickoff is at 12h30 local time (19h30 SA Time – USA is seven hours behind SA)
Banyana Banyana vs The Netherlands:
DATE: Saturday, 4 June 2016
KICK-OFF: 15h00
VENUE: Mandemakers Stadium, RKC Waalwijk, Waalwijk, The Netherlands
DATE: Tuesday, 7 June 2016
KICK-OFF: 19h00
VENUE: Mandemakers Stadium, RKC Waalwijk, Waalwijk, The Netherlands
Banyana Banyana vs USA
DATE: Saturday, 9 July 2016
KICKOFF: 12H30 local time (19h30 SA Time)
VENUE: Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois, USA