Banyana will shine at Africa Games – Pauw

THERE WAS a huge smile on the face of Banyana Banyana head coach Vera Pauw yesterday when she walked into Safa headquarters to announce her squad for the All Africa Games.

It was easy to see that the coach of South Africa’s womn’s soccer team was happy about the composotion of the squad which will be going to Brazzaville, Congo, even though she will be missing some of her key players who are plying their trade with overseas teams.

Pauw announced a squad of 22 players that will do duty for the nation at the Games. However, only 20 players will travel to the Congo.

“It is an honour to go to the African Games,” Pauw said.

“It is very special this year, because it is a build-up to our Olympic qualifier match against Equatorial Guinea.

“On Friday we went through the match schedule. It showed that there are very few rest days between games. So we might have to make some changes later in the tournament, otherwise players are likely to be injured and not be ready for the game against Equatorial Guinea.

“And, let’s face it, I think we all want to go to the Olympics.”

The tournament does not fall under the official Fifa calendar so Jermaine Seoposenwe, Robyn Moodlay, Kelso Peskin, Kaylin Swart and Thembi Kgatlana were all not released by their clubs, while goalkeeper Roxanne Barker is expected to join the team at a later stage.

“Unfortunately it is the way it is.

“As long as these matches or tournaments do not fall under the Fifa calendar dates, we will always have these challenges.

“But I have confidence in the players that we have and I believe we will do well.”

Banyana Banyana are in Group B, alongside Cameroon, Ghana and Egypt.

Meanwhile Owen da Gama, coach of South Africa’s Under-23, has announced his squad that will face Tunisia in two friendly matches as a build-up to the Eight Nations tournament in Senegal.

BANYANA BANYANA SQUAD

GOALKEEPERS: Roxanne Barker, Andile Dlamini, Yolula Tsawe DEFENDERS: Nothando Vilakazi, Janine Van Wyk, Noko Matlou, Lerato Kgasago, Lebogang Ramalepe, Nomathemba Ntsibande, Zamandosi Cele

MIDFIELDERS: Amanda Dlamini, Leandra Smeda, Alocia Thoboka, Refiloe Jane, Nompumelelo Nyandeni, Silindile Ngubane, Busisiwe Ndimeni, Bongiwe Thusi, Mamello Makhabane

STRIKERS: Shiwe Nongwanya, Sanah Mollo, Rhoda Mulaudzi

UNDER-23 SQUAD

GOALKEEPERS: Mbulelo Ngobe, Ricardo Goss, Jody February DEFENDERS: Tshepo Rhikotso, Kwanda Mngonyama, Thabo Makhele, Ntuthuko Radebe, Tebogo Moerane, Zitha Macheke, Denwin Farmer, Siyabonga Dube

MIDFIELDERS: Abbubaker Mobara, Khayelihle Shozi, Gift Motupa, Morne Nel, Keagan Dolly, Riyaad Norodien, Deolin Mekoa, Lebogang Phiri

STRIKERS: Menzi Alson Masuku, Siphelele Ntshangase, Dumsani Zuma, Lebo Mothiba