8 April 2022 – The South African Senior Women’s team has wrapped up their local camp ahead of the side’s departure to the Netherlands tonight.
The Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana assembled on 5 April 2022 with local-based players and went through a series of training sessions as the team gears up for their away friendly international against the Netherlands.
“As mentioned previously, it has been six weeks since we played Algeria and you have seen the fitness levels have gone up remarkably, considering that the clubs have also been playing friendlies in preparation for the restart of the [domestic] league, which will commence when we return from the Netherlands,” Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis told www.Safa.net.
“I am impressed with the attitude and effort put in [by the players]. Now we just need to make sure we get this group together in the next couple of days, including the overseas players who will join us tomorrow, and get ready for Tuesday [when they face the Netherlands].”
“We are excited. It’s another opportunity for the players to test themselves, for us to test ourselves and try and improve on previous performances, and not just improve but to be able to see if the players have the mental capacity to push through.”
The coach also offered insight into why she believes the weather conditions in the Netherlands will favour the overseas-based players.
“We had to train in the morning [in a bid] to give the players who are studying [the opportunity] to have time to do their school work, and also give players recovery time.”
“The weather is completely different, it’s extremely cold, and I think it will suit our international-based players better because they are all coming out of winter and we are going into winter [here in South Africa]. We have to manage that over the next three days when we arrive before the game, but we are hoping it won’t become a factor,” added the coach.
Nozipho Mbatha, Sasol’s Senior Manager: Group Brand and Sponsorships, bid the team farewell and wished them well for this important friendly.
“You have put in all the hard work during the camp week and now is the time for you to demonstrate your limitless spirit on the field as you continue to reach for victory”.
The match against top opposition will give Ellis and her charges an opportunity to step up their preparations for the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations in July.
“We want to thank SAFA and Sasol. We have always asked for top opposition and they have given us exactly that and we are grateful,” concluded Ellis.