The South African Senior Women’s National Team (Banyana Banyana) will be looking to shine on their 18-day ‘Mission South America’ before competing in the Cyprus Women’s Cup from February 28 to March 6.
Twenty two players will be on the travelling party.
USA-based goalkeeper Roxanne Barker and experienced central defender Janine van Wyk have been added to the group that spent three weeks focusing on endurance and strength training in Stellenbosch last month.
Under the guidance of head coach Joseph ‘Skheshekheshe’ Mkhonza, the Sasol-sponsored national team will jet out of South Africa on Wednesday (8 February) to be based in Sao Paulo, Brazil, where they will play against a Brazilian club side, and the national senior women’s teams of Argentina, Peru and Chile.
The tournament in Cyprus requires twenty two players to be registered by each country, so with experienced midfielders Russian-based Nompumelelo Nyandeni and USA-based Kylie Ann Louw joining Banyana Banyana in Cyprus, two players from the travelling party will have to return home.
Those players will be decided towards the end of the Brazil tour.
Banyana Banyana will leave South America for Cyprus on Thursday, 23 February.
“Following the highly successful national training camp held in Stellenbosch last month, it was crucial for Banyana Banyana to have a few friendly matches before competing against some of the world’s leading women’s football nations at the Cyprus Women’s Cup,” said Mkhonza.
Last year, Banyana Banyana played mainly against African opposition en route to 2012 London Olympic Games qualification and representation at the All-Africa Games held in Mozambique.
“It’s good for the team that the players are getting opportunities to play against different styles of football like against the South American teams and then Asian, Australasian and European opponents at the Cyprus Women’s Cup,” added Mkhonza.
For the Cyprus Women’s Cup, SA has been drawn in a group along with South Korea, New Zealand and Northern Ireland.
The Banyana Banyana support team has also received a major boost, with the vastly experienced South African Under 23 National Team coach Ephraim ‘Shakes’ Mashaba roped in as the technical advisor to Mkhonza.
The other newcomer is Brazil-based Bafana Bafana physical trainer Francisco “Chico” Gonzalez, and there is also additional support in the form of a bio kinetics consultant, masseur and a training session and match analyst.
The Banyana Banyana squad to Brazil:
Goalkeepers:
Thoko Mndaweni ,
Roxanne Barker , Mputle Ntshatsana
Defenders:
Nothando Vilakazi
Gabisile Hlumbane
Janine van Wyk
Refiloe Jane
Amanda Sister
Zamantosi Cele
Simphiwe Masina
Midfielders:
Mary Ntsweng
Memory Makhanya
Nomathemba Ntsibande
Morifi Chuene
Nondyebo Mgudu
Nocawe Skiti
Strikers:
Sanah Mollo
Noko Matlou
Leandra Smeda
Zanele Sukazi
Amanda Dlamini
Andiswe Mgcoyi
Source: safa.net
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why wont they play with Brazil WNT? Oo