Banyana preparations on track
Banyana Banyana’s Olympic preparations moved up a gear with a convincing 3-1 win over German Premier League ladies side Bayer 04 Leverkusen at the Sportschule in Hennef, near Cologne, Germany on Thursday.
Banyana will play their final preparation match when they face Great Britain in an international friendly fixture in Birmingham, England on Sunday.
Playing against Bayer 04 Leverkusen, captain Amanda Dlamini headed home the opening goal in the 6th minute from a free-kick taken by defender Janine van Wyk. Fifteen minutes later, Palace Super Falcons striker Portia Modise collected a through pass from midfielder Mary Ntsweng, before striking home the second goal from 30 metres out, helped by a goalkeeping fumble.
In the second half, the Germans reduced the deficit with a well-taken shot put wide of Banyana Banyana goalkeeper Roxanne Barker.
Bloemfontein Celtic striker, substitute Sanah Mollo restored the two-goal advantage for the visitors after a powerful run down the right wing, which ended with her bullet-like shot finding the goal-net off the far upright post.
“The spirit in the camp is high with all of the 18 Olympic bound players, and the six reserves who will remain on standby in South Africa in case of injuries to the travelling players, working hard in training,” said Banyana coach Joseph Mkhonza.
“Sascoc, Safa and Sasol need to be thanked for making this training camp in Germany possible and the team is committed to doing their best when Banyana Banyana makes its Olympic Games debut in London later this month.”
The South Africans were further greeted by news of the confirmation of the teams to compete at the African Women Championship 2012 in Equatorial Guinea from November 4-18.
Banyana Banyana, whose best finish in the competition was as runners-up in 1995 and 2008, will be part of the action along with hosts Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia and Senegal.
