Banyana in buyoant mood

Johannesburg - Banyana Banyana coach Joseph Mkhonza is confident his team will defend their title this weekend at the Confederation of Southern African Football Associations (COSAFA) Women's Championships in Harare.

South Africa face hosts Zimbabwe in Saturday's final.

"We came here with a mission to retain the COSAFA Women's Championship trophy and everything still looks to be on course," Mkhonza said on Friday.

Mkhonza, who has guided Banyana to 11 wins in their last 12 matches, said he hoped they would lift the title and take further confidence into their 2012 London Olympic qualifiers against Ethiopia in August and September.

"We have found the answers to several questions during this tournament and believe we are on the right track towards reaching our goal of outplaying Ethiopia," he said.

South Africa faced some injury scares, however, with key players in a race against time to be fit for the COSAFA final.

Defender Simphiwe Masina and experienced midfielder Mamello Makhabane were both nursing leg injuries on the eve of the match.

Mkhonza said he nonetheless remained confident with a number of options available.

"At least eight of our players had some good match time during the Sasol League National Championships in Bloemfontein two weeks ago," he said.

"Several others used the Sasol League off-season break to work on their fitness levels."