HOME > NEWS > BANYANA BANYANA BANG IN THE GOALS AT TRAINING CAMP IN STELLENBOSCH

Banyana Banyana bang in the goals at training camp in Stellenbosch

Banyana Banyana bang in the goals

Posted: 2012-01-13 13:16

The South African women's team beat against Cape Town Roses in a practice match yesterday.

Banyana are training in the scorching heat in Stellenbosch until January 29 to prepare for their campaign at the 12-nation Cyprus Women's Cup from February 28 to March 6.

The match against the Western Cape Sasol League provincial winners allowed coach Joseph Mkhonza to give game-time to some relative newcomers in the national squad.

Attacking midfielder Nondyebo Mgudu, who plays for Durban Ladies in the Sasol League (KwaZulu-Natal) showed skill and commitment on the artificial surface, while North West-based goalkeeper Mputle Ntshetsana had a trouble-free 45 minutes in the first half.

Doing South Africa proud at the 2012 London Olympic Games is the national team's main focus, but the immediate assignment is the Cyprus Women’s Cup next month, and Mkhonza says he is well aware of the importance of putting in a good performance at the tournament.

"This month's training camp is a key phase in building up endurance levels and the 23 players present are working hard to stay in the mix for team selection," Mkhonza says.

"But the door is definitely not closed to anyone. We are on the lookout for other players who will be able to add further skill and value to the Olympic campaign. The national coaches will visit several Sasol League matches in search of additional talent."

Banyana Banyana will travel to Cyprus ranked 67th in Fifa rankings, and will take on South Korea (16th) in their opening group fixture, before facing New Zealand (24th) and ranked Northern Ireland (64th).

The US-based duo of goalkeeper Roxanne Barker and midfielder Kylie Ann Louw, as well as Russian-based midfielder Nompumelelo Nyandeni, attended the first few days of physical testing and conditioning at the national camp in Stellenbosch before returning to their clubs.

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AB: 2012-01-13 14:06

I THINK AS PART OF PREPARATION, THEY SHOULD PLAY THEIR FRIENDLY GAMES AGAINST (REAL U-18 OR U-19) BOYS. WITH THAT APPROACH THEY CAN COMPETE AGAINST THE LIKES OF NIGERIA AND THE TOP WORLD COUNTRIES IN OLYMPICS AND WORLD CUPS....THATS MY OPINION

Vince : 2012-01-14 14:07

What was the score? This is very poor writing. This article is incomplete. Check your "headline" before publishing. "Bang in the goals" but you do not report the score and who scored.