Banyana Banyana and the South African u23 National Team have all but wrapped up their preparations on home soil, as they get ready to depart for Brazil for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games starting next month.

Banyana Banyana and the South African Men’s Olympic Teams have all but wrapped up their preparations on home soil, as they get ready to depart for Brazil for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games starting next month.

The two national teams qualified for the world’s biggest sporting spectacle last year in October with Banyana Banyana’s win over Equatorial Guinea, and the SA U23 team punching their ticket to Rio with a third place result at the CAF u23 AFCON in December.

The Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana squad has played friendly games against Cameroon, Zimbabwe, The Netherlands and the USA as well as two home and away African Women’s Qualifiers against Botswana. They have also been holding training camps in between.

In Rio, they will face Sweden, China and hosts Brazil.

“It has been a very long and hard journey for all of us when we started camp back in November last year, now we can’t wait to get to Brazil for the start of competition. I must admit we have had one of the best preparations where we faced, amongst others, the world’s top ranked national team, the USA – what more can we ask for? We have to thank SAFA for all the efforts in making sure we are well prepared for the Olympics, not forgetting our proud sponsors Sasol and our partner National Lotteries Commission for travelling the journey with us, we can never thank you enough,” said Banyana Banyana coach Vera Pauw.

“What remains now is for us to get to Rio and round off preparations with our last friendly match against New Zealand. I am happy with the progress we have made, and the players are in a good condition. This week we changed our programme to start adapting to the Brazilian times and we are getting used to it, which means there won’t be much of a struggle to adapt. We will do our best and ensure we fly the flag high.”

Banyana Banyana will face New Zealand on Thursday, 28 July in Rio.

The Men’s Olympic Team travelled to Brazil for an international friendly match, won the 2016 COSAFA Cup in Namibia and then faced Japan to get ready for the competition.

“We are fortunate enough that our players are playing professional football and they have been able to keep in shape even long after the end of the season. We also have to thank SAFA for allowing us to play in the COSAFA Cup as well as all the partners – like the Nationa;l Lotteries Commission, who supported us with our preparations,” said SA u23 coach Owen da Gama.

“I believe we have selected a team strong enough to hold their own anywhere and against anyone and we are eagerly looking forward to the opening match against the hosts which will determine our way forward. I remain confident that we will do well.”

The Men’s Olympic Team is in the same group as Brazil, Denmark and Iraq.

Da Gama’s charges last qualified for the Olympics 15 years ago under the guidance of current Bafana Bafana coach Ephraim Shakes Mashaba while this is Banyana Banyana’s second qualification in a row.

“We are very proud of the great work these two teams have done, putting South Africa and SAFA on the map, once again. The qualification is just an indication that Vision 2022 is alive and well, and we on the right track. We could not have done this without our financial partners Sasol and the support of the National Lotteries Commission – they came to the party when they were needed the most, to assist with this mammoth task of preparing a team for the Olympics and we are forever indebted to them,” said SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan.” “As Banyana Banyana and the Men’s Olympic Team are about to depart from these shores to battle it out with the best in the world, let me take this opportunity to once again wish them a safe journey and a successful tournament. To the players, your coaches have done everything they could to prepare you for the battle ahead, what is left is for you take the ball and run with it. Good luck and may you return victorious.”

The two South African sides depart on Saturday, 23 July 2016 as Team South African under the banner of SASCOC.


Banyana Banyana Fixtures for 2016 Olympics:

Wednesday 03 August
Sweden vs South Africa
Olympic Stadium
13h00 (18h00 SA Time)

Saturday 06 August
South Africa vs China
Olympic Stadium
19h00 (12h00 midnight SA Time)

Tuesday 09 August
South Africa vs Brazil
Amazonia Arena (Manaus)
21h00 (02h00 Wednesday, 10 Aug SA Time)


SA u23 Men’s Olympic Fixtures:

Thursday 4 August
Brazil vs SA – 4 Aug
Mane Garrincha Stadium, Brasilia
16h00 (21h00 SA Time)

Sunday 7 August
Denmark vs South Africa
Mane Garrincha Stadium, Brasilia
19h00 (02h00 Monday, 8 Aug SA Time)

Wednesday 10 August
South Africa vs Iraq
Corinthians Arena, Sao Paulo
22h00 (03h00 Thursday, 11 Aug SA Time)


Banyana Banyana squad to 2016 Olympics

Goalkeepers
Roxanne Barker SC Heerenveen The Netherlands
Andile Dlamini Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies Johannesburg
Defenders
Nothando Vilakazi Palace Super Falcons FC Johannesburg
Janine Van Wyk (c) JVW FC Johannesburg
Noko Matlou MaIndies FC Polokwane
Bambanani Mbane Bloemfontein Celtic Ladies Bloemfontein
Leandra Smeda UWC Ladies Cape Town
Midfielders
Mamello Makhabane JVW FC Johannesburg
Amanda Dlamini JVW FC Johannesburg
Refiloe Jane Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies Johannesburg
Nompumelelo Nyandeni JVW FC Johannesburg
Linda Motlhalo JVW FC Johannesburg
Stephanie Malherbe Texas A & M University USA
Robyn Moodaly Un. Of Northwestern Ohio USA
Strikers
Lebohang Ramalepe MaIndies FC Polokwane
Sanah Mollo Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies Johannesburg
Shiwe Nogwanya Bloemfontein Celtic Ladies Bloemfontein
Jermaine Seoposenwe Samford University USA
Additional Players:
Kaylin Swart Menlo College U.S.A
Nomathemba Ntsibande Springs Home Sweepers Johannesburg
Thembi Kgatlana UWC Ladies UWC Ladies Cape Town
Chantelle Esau Palace Super Falcons FC Johannesburg

SA u23 Olympic squad:

Goalkeepers
Jody FEBRUARY Ajax Cape Town FC (SA)
Itumeleng KHUNE Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)
Defenders
Kwandakwentsizwa MNGONYAMA Maritzburg United FC (SA)
Rivaldo COETZEE Ajax Cape Town FC (SA)
Abbubaker MOBARA Orlando Pirates FC (SA)
Mothobi MVALA Highlands Park FC (SA)
Erick MATHOHO Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)
Tebogo MOERANE Bidvest Wits FC (SA)
Tercious MALEPE Orlando Pirates FC (SA)
Midfielders
Gift MOTUPA Orlando Pirates FC (SA)
Maphosa MODIBA Cape Town FC (SA)
Deolin MEKOA Maritzburg United FC (SA)
Keagan DOLLY Mamelodi Sundowns (SA)
Phumlani NTSHANGASE Bidvest Wits FC (SA)
Strikers
Menzi MASUKU Orlando Pirates FC (SA)
Tashreeq MORRIS Ajax Cape Town FC (SA)
Lebogang MOTHIBA Lille F.C (France)
Tyroane SANDOWS Gremio FC (Brazil)
Additional Players:
Nkosingiphile GUMEDE Golden Arrows FC (SA)
Andile FIKIZOLO Golden Arrows FC (SA)
Thapelo MORENA Bloemfontein Celtic FC (SA)
Thabiso KUTUMELA Orlando Pirates FC (SA)