Incentive for Banyana to win African Women’s Cup of Nations

Banyana Banyana captain Janine van Wyk has thanked Safa and team sponsors Sasol for adding incentives which could drive her team to win the African Women’s Cup of Nations (Awcon).

Banyana are pitted against Nigeria‚ Zambia and Kenya in the Awcon‚ which starts on Saturday‚ November 17 in Ghana.

The South Africans have yet to win a Women’s Nations Cup despite qualifying for 12 of the previous 13 editions.

For Van Wyk‚ the incentives will also be a big boost in their push to qualify for the first time for Fifa Women’s World Cup‚ which will be hosted by France in June next year.

The top three finishers from eight teams in Ghana will qualify for next year’s World Cup.

If Banyana lift the Awcon in Ghana‚ each player will go home with R160‚000 but for merely appearing in this tournament the 21 players announced by coach Desiree Ellis at Safa House in Johannesburg yesterday are guaranteed to go home with R40‚000.

“Definitely we have to thank Sasol and Safa for putting these incentives on the table‚” said Van Wyk‚ who is going to Ghana with 154 caps under her belt.

Banyana will open their campaign in Ghana against defending champions Nigeria on November 18 and Van Wyk feels it’s time the South Africans show they are now better than the team ranked No 1 in the continent.

“It is a very critical match for us‚” she said.

BANYANA BANYANA SQUAD Goalkeepers: Andile Dlamini‚ Kaylin Swart‚ Roxanne Barker. Defenders: Lebogang Ramalepe‚ Nothando Vilakazi‚ Janine van Wyk (captain)‚ Noko Matlou‚ Bambanani Mbane‚ Tiisetso Makhubela‚ Koketso Tlailane. Midfielders: Kgaelebane Mohlakoana‚ Mamello Makhabane‚ Leandra Smeda‚ Nompumelelo Nyandeni‚ Linda Motlhalo‚ Busisiwe Ndimeni‚ Refiloe Jane. Strikers: Jermaine Seoposenwe‚ Thembi Kgatlana‚ Melinda Kgadiete‚ Amanda Mthandi.

Banyana are pitted against Nigeria‚ Zambia and Kenya