Johannesburg - Banyana Banyana coach Vera Pauw announced a squad that has a good balance between youth and experience that she will be taking to the Olympics in Brazil. There are 10 players from the 18-member squad who will be playing in their second successive Olympics after making their debut in London in 2012.
Four of those 10 – Janine van Wyk, Noko Matlou, Nompumelelo Nyandeni and Amanda Dlamini – have 100 caps and more. Their experience will be complemented by 17-year-old Linda Motlhalo who is a bright prospect for the future. 22-year-old Jermaine Seoposenwe will be playing in her second major tournament, after she represented the country in the Under-17 World Cup along with Robyn Moodaly.
“It has been a long journey for the entire team, some of the players have been with us since the qualifiers for the Olympics, but unfortunately I can only take 22,” Pauw said. “We had to look at the balance of the team and I believe we have made the right choice. It was not an easy decision to make though, as any of the players who are not going to Rio had as much of a chance as those who are going.
But I have confidence that the squad we have selected will represent us well in Brazil. We did well in the three games we played recently, two against Netherlands and one against the United States of America. This has given me hope that we can make our mark at the Olympics. At this stage the only thing left is for the South Africans to be behind this team as that will further boost our confidence.”
Banyana Banyana are grouped with the hosts Brazil, China and Sweden.
Squad
Goalkeepers
Roxanne Barker and Andile Dlamini
Defenders
Nothando Vilakazi, Janine van Wyk, Noko Matlou, Bambani Mbane and Leandra Smeda
Midfielder
Mamello Makhabane, Amanda Dlamini, Refiloe Jane, Nompumelelo Nyandeni, Linda Motlhalo, Stephanie Malherbe and Robyn Moodaly
Strikers
Lebohang Ramalepe, Sanah Mollo, Shiwe Nogwanya and Jermaine Seoposenwe
On Standby
Kaylin Swart (‘keeper), Nomathemba Ntsibande (Defender), Thembi Kgatlana (Midfielder and Chantelle Esau (Striker)
Independent Media