Soccer
SA eager to improve ranking
2012-10-18 17:21
Joseph Mkhonza (Gallo Images)
|
Johannesburg - Banyana Banyana head coach Joseph Mkhonza says the soccer team will aim to improve its world ranking at the CAF African Women Championship in Guinea from October 28.
"We hope that we can do South Africa proud and move a few further spots up the world rankings," said Mkhonza.
"SAFA and Sasol need to be thanked for their commitment in allowing the Banyana Banyana players to stay in camp for the entire October to prepare for the [Confederation of African Football] CAF African Women Championship."
"Banyana Banyana go to the CAF African Women Championship ranked 56th in the world and fourth in Africa, with our world ranking having improved by five places after our matches played at the Olympics."
Banyana have been drawn in Group A and will face hosts Guinea in Malabo on October 28, Senegal in Malabo on October 31, and will travel to Bata for their encounter with the Democratic Republic of Congo on November 3.
The semi-finals will be held in either Malabo or Bata on November 7, with the third and fourth place playoffs and the title decider both scheduled for Malabo on November 11.
The travelling party includes most of the players who represented South Africa at the London Olympics in July, plus three new caps in the Durban ladies' pair of striker Silindile Ngubane and defender Charlotte Mshengu, and Women's Under 17 National Team goalkeeper Katlego Moletsane (High Performance Centre, Pretoria).
Banyana team:
Goalkeepers: Thokozile Mndaweni, Andile Dlamini, Katlego Moletsane.
Defenders: Nothando Vilakazi, Amanda Sister, Janine van Wyk (vice-captain), Zamandosi Cele, Refiloe Jane, Lebogang Mabatle, Charlotte Mshengu.
Midfielders: Leandra Smeda, Nocawe Skiti, Amanda Dlamini (captain), Gabisile Hlumbane, Yola Jafta.
Strikers: Noko Matlou, Portia Modise, Andiswe Mgcoyi, Silindile Ngubane, Sanah Mollo, Jermaine Seoposenwe.