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Johannesburg - Banyana Banyana coach Joseph Mkhonza says the team's move up the latest Fifa world rankings is a clear indication of the hard work put in by the squad over the past few months.
Banyana climbed two places, from position 53 to 51, in the world rankings released on June 21.
"It is encouraging to see the girls' achievements being rewarded," said Mkhonza in a statement on Monday.
"The continued growth on the rankings should serve as motivation to the players to keep working harder and represent the nation with pride.
"The intention is to continue our rise and break into the top 20 in the world."
Banyana showed their experience when they thrashed Mozambique 5-0 in an international friendly in Nelspruit earlier this month and followed that performance with a one-all draw against Zimbabwe.
However, the top five rankings on the continent remained the same with Nigeria (32) leading the pack, followed by Cameroon (48) and Ghana (49).
Banyana remained in fourth position followed by 2012 AWC champions Equatorial Guinea (52).
"Our immediate goal is to break into the top three on the continent because I believe we are far much better than the fourth place we currently occupy," Mkhonza said.
"We were at the Olympics and reached the finals of the African Women Championships. I think we are not far off from being among the best on the continent."
