Banyana Banyana midfielder Amanda Dlamini believes that even though they are playing hosts Brazil in the final group stage match of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, they cannot allow themselves to be intimidated.
Banyana Banyana midfielder Amanda Dlamini believes that even though they are playing hosts Brazil in the final group stage match of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, they cannot allow themselves to be intimidated.
Dlamini was speaking ahead of the much-anticipated clash against a Brazil side that has scored eight goals in two matches – three against China and five over Sweden.
Brazil rarely plays in Manaus, and so the excitement is huge among locals fans who are expected to fill the Amazonia Arena to capacity.
The match takes place on Tuesday, 9 August 2016.
“We need to draw all sorts of positives leading to the game, we had a good showing against Sweden, and did exceptionally well against China – we didn’t create so many chances in the first match but had plenty to talk about in the second game, but we couldn’t convert. I think those are some of the things we can build on towards this game. It is also going to be a great experience in terms of the full capacity crowd expected, we are playing the hosts so there is quite a lot to look forward to but at the same time we can’t get carried away, we can’t get intimidated either,” said Dlamini from the team base camp in Manaus.
“We will have the same fighting spirit as you have seen in all the other matches, I have never been part of a team where, even when the odds are against us, we don’t rise and show passion, and that great fighting spirity. At the end of the day what matters to us is representing the country well, and we always carry out that mission with pride. No one can take the game lightly.”
Banyana Banyana is yet to score a goal in two outings and are bottom of the group with no points. Dlamini believes there is a lot to play for.
“While many may say there is nothing to play for, that’s the game of football. There is never nothing to play for. We just have to concentrate on ourselves. It’s always tough when you come into a competition of this natur, where the best three can be determined by the slightest margin. If we go with the same fighting spirit, nothing is impossible, and everybody knows the game of football can be cruel but at the same time we need to take our chances,” added the former Banyana Banyana captain.
Having already booked their spot in the last eight, Dlamini says South Africa should not focus on what their approach will be, but on how Banyana Banyana is preparing.
“They will probably mix their game and give some of the players who haven’t played a run, but at the same time it is always about consistenscy with some teams, they woulldnt want to break the momentum,” said Dlamini.
“They are playing in Manaus and people haven’t seen them live here before, so their coach might also want to give their big name stars a run to perform. Having said that, we don’t have to concern ourselves about who they are going to field on the day, we just have to prepare as if we will be facing their best available team.”
Kickoff in Manus is at 21h00 local time (03h00 Wednesday, 10 August SA Time – Manaus is six hours behind South Africa).