Banyana work on defence ahead of Games
Improvement in tactics and defence will be the key for Banyana Banyana over the next three months, in preparation for their Olympic debut in London this year, according to coach Joseph Mkhonza.
"At the moment I feel that we are weak defensively," Mkhonza said on Tuesday.
"It's one area that we will need to work on and improve.
"I have the support that I needed and asked for [in technical advisor and SA Under-23 coach Shakes Mashaba]."
After spending a month working on their endurance in Cape Town, the SA women's side leave this week for a two-week training camp in Rio de Janeiro.
From there, they head to Cyprus for a 12-Nation tournament later in the month.
Set to meet South American and European opponents in Cyprus, Mkhonza felt they would be provided with the intense preparation they required in Brazil, where they were expected to face international sides and club teams.
"These trips are important to help us gauge whether we are progressing," Mkhonza said.
"We need to be exposed to international standards, knowing who we are likely to play against.
"The support we have had from the association [Safa] and sponsors has been great in giving us the base that we need."
The new found spirit also ended recent rumblings that the team had not been paid a bonus for their Olympic qualification.
"Look, the players knew from day one that they would be paid, the problem was that they didn't know when," Mkhonza said.
"That may have been an administration issue because Safa offices did close for the festive season.
"But, as you can see, everyone in camp is in good spirits, working hard towards giving a good showing at the Olympics."
Twenty-two players will travel to South America, with midfielder Mmamelo Mokhoabane and defender Yolanda Jafta not considered because of knee injuries.
They were both scheduled, however, to have scans on their injuries and still aimed to stake their claim for a place in the Olympic squad.