France boost for Banyana
WITH more friendly matches against some of the world’s top teams in women’s football, Banyana Banyana striker Jermaine Seoposenwe believes more of her teammates will have an opportunity to attract overseas clubs.
Banyana have a friendly international against thirdranked France in the Réunion island on Sunday (7pm SA time).
Seoposenwe is hoping that this will not be just a once-off assignment, as the senior women’s national team needs strong competition regularly to ensure they are not stagnant. “It’s important for us to start playing great opponents ... top-five ranked teams is what we are looking at.
“Playing a team that’s ranked in the top five is going to test us, and getting a good result will propel us. We need to prove a point and show that as a country we have improved and that we are trying to take women’s football to the next level,” said the US-based striker.
“It’s also an opportunity for everyone to prove themselves. Janine [van Wyk] has just shown that you can get a contract overseas. So, proving yourself in a big game like this can definitely open doors,” added Seoposenwe in reference to Van Wyk’s move to Houston Dash in the US.
Meanwhile, Banyana believe they are ready to compete against the strong French side despite concerns over match fitness.
They have not played a competitive match since the African Women’s Championship in November.
“We want to defend well, attack well, do the basics right and work as a unit. Hopefully, we will get a good result if everyone sticks to their task.
“It’s going to be a tough game because they will come out guns blazing and they have some of the best players in the world,” said Seoposenwe. “A good result would be a draw, but we can’t go out to play for a draw. We need to win the game.”
“Janine [van Wyk] has just shown that you can get a contract overseas