Ngubane’s flair could be the key to Banyana’s attack

THE key to opening up the most formidable defences that Banyana Banyana will face in the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro could lie in the hands, or is it skilful feet, of Silindile Ngubane.

The Durban Ladies forward is a talented player with a bag full of tricks. But the 28-year-old and her tricks have spent most of the time on the bench than terrorising opponents. When given a chance, she brings a different dimension to the Banyana Banyana attack with skills that would impress in Jogo Bonito (Portuguese for play beautiful) land. She showed those skills at Flavius Mareka Stadium in the Sasol League National Championships this week, granted the competition isn’t what Banyana Banyana will come up against in Rio.

As Banyana Banyana legend Veronica Phewa, rolled back the years to lead the Durban outfit upfront, Ngubane pulled the strings against a timid Coal City Wizards to beat them 2-0 on Tuesday and win the Diski Queen of the Match award. For Ngubane playing in the tournament is more than just an opportunity to jog the memories of those who might have forgotten what she can offer, with Safa scouts and Banyana Banyana assistant coach Desiree Ellis among the spectators.

“The most important thing is that there are players who love seeing players from Banyana Banyana playing against them because they dream to be there one day,” Ngubane said. “We are here to inspire them because that’s very important. I know how it feels because I worked very hard to be in the national team setup. Before I was there, I asked as much as I can to those who were there on how I could get to that level too. I am glad that it has happened. Now my next step is to play regularly. I have been working hard to achieve that, now it’s up to the coach. I am hungry for a chance and I know that if I were to come on I could change certain things.”

Another thing she is looking to change is for Durban Ladies to be more than just a good team but make that count and finally win the tournament. The outfit always starts among the favourites but drop out in the semi-finals or even at the final hurdle.

“I think for me this is one of the most important Championships that I have played in,” Ngubane said. “I would love to win it so that when we’re going to Rio I could go there as a South African champion. I think that might even help me get a chance at Banyana Banyana. It has been my dream to play at the highest level be it the World Cup or the Olym- pics. We missed out on a chance to play in the World Cup but we made up for that by qualifying for the Olympics.”

That journey to the Olympics will start taking shape this weekend after Safa signs off coach Vera Pauw’s programme to prepare for the tournament. Safa head honchos will sit at their annual congress at the Sandton Convention Centre on Saturday. After that the road to Rio will properly begin with the team – those not playing in the Championships – currently in camp.

“I would give anything to play in Brazil, the home of beautiful football and finally get a chance to show what I can offer,” Ngubane said.

Njabulo Ngidi is in Sasolburg courtesy of Sasol