Johannesburg - South African Football Association (SAFA) president Danny Jordaan has praised the SA women’s national football side ahead of the team coach’s departure to Brazil.
Banyana Banyana head coach Vera Pauw is on her way to Rio de Janeiro for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games draw, which takes place on Thursday. The draw has been brought forward by half an hour to 15h00 (SA Time).
Before she left, Pauw ensured Banyana Banyana qualified for their second major tournament in one year – the 2016 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, scheduled for November/December.
The Sasol-sponsored team has already clinched its place in Rio.
“I am excited for the players, the technical team, the support staff and everyone who played a role to ensure we get it right and qualify for Women’s AFCON in Cameroon. Botswana gave us a scare in the first match and that gave us a wake-up call,” said Pauw.
“We were then able to rectify our mistakes and they stood no chance in our backyard. This match came in the middle of preparations for the Olympics and we had to fit it in, now we can fully focus on our preparations for the Olympic Games.
“As I have been saying, they will now take [on] a slightly different training routine because you don’t want the team to peak at the wrong time,” Pauw continued.
“So we gradually have to work our way up. And after the draw, we will be able to confirm some practice matches as those will be equally important for our preparations.”
Banyana Banyana defeated Botswana 3-0 on Tuesday night with goals from Sanah Mollo, Mamello Makhabane and Nompulelelo Nyandeni for a 5-0 aggregate score, following the 2-0 victory in the first leg.
This is the 10th time in a row that South Africa will be represented at the Women’s AFCON, and the second time in a row that the ladies qualify for the Olympic Games.
Speaking after the game at Makhulong Stadium, Jordaan said the critical thing now was for the team to compete with the best in the forthcoming tournaments.
“You have proven tonight that you can play the best football on your day. You have always given your best and you also showed that if you believe in your abilities you can make it.
“The fact that you have qualified for two major tournaments in one year makes it all sweeter. It is also an incredible feat that you have never missed out on the Women’s AFCON since you first played in 1995.
“That is a wonderful record. You have made us all proud, you have put a smile on all our faces and for that we are extremely proud of you.”
African News Agency