Banyana bring double trouble to Lagos
by Humphrey Njoku 20 June 2012, 21:05
Banyana Banyana captain, Amanda Dlamini and striker, Portia Modise top the 18-player South Africa delegation to Nigeria for Saturday’s friendly against Super Falcons in Lagos.
The South Africans will take part in the football event of the London 2012 Olympic Games in July.
The two-leg friendly against the reigning African champions is a build-up to the quadrennial multi-sport fiesta.
The first leg fixture in Johannesburg, South Africa fortnight ago ended one goal apiece.
The contingent will fly into Nigeria on Thursday aboard Kenya Airways flight.
Dlamini has been captain of the Banyana Banyana, one of Africa’s leading women’s teams, for years, while Modise is one of the most recognisable figures in African women's football with 71 goals in 91 international appearances for her country.
Nigeria has her own amazons, though four-time African Player of the Year, Perpetua Nkwocha, defence ace, Faith Ikidi and Helen Ukaonu and midfield maestro, Rita Chikwelu will miss the game after the quartet returned to their European clubs.
They were party to the Falcons' demolition of the Mighty Warriors of Zimbabwe that earned the title holders a spot in this year’s AWC in Equatorial Guinea.
But goalkeeper and captain, Precious Dede, with three Fifa World Cup appearances as well as defender, Joy Jegede and veteran midfielder, Stella Mbachu and the likes of talented defenders, Gladys Akpa and Evelyn Nwabuoku, midfielders Martina Ohadugha and Ebere Orji and forwards, Esther Sunday, Desire Oparanozie and Amenze Aighewi, among others, stand out.
Saturday’s match at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos will kick off from 4pm local time (5pm CAT).
Full list of Banyana:
Roxanne Barker (GK), Lebogang Mabatle, Nothando Vilakazi, Amanda Sister, Jermaine Seoposenwe, Zamandosi Cele, Leandra Smeda, Kylie-Ann Louw, Amanda Dlamini (c), Mary Ntsweng, Noko Matlou, Portia Modise, Gabisile Hlumbane, Sanah Mollo, Refiloe Jane, Thokozile Mndaweni (GK), Andisiwe Mgcoyi, Nocawe Skiti.
