Banyana tackle Zim in Olympic warm-up

Cape Town - Football fans will be treated to a spectacle when Africa’s two women representatives at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, Banyana Banyana and Zimbabwe, face off in an international friendly match on Sunday at Makhulong Stadium in Tembisa.

The match kicks-off at 15:00.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for both us and Zimbabwe, Africa’s representatives in the women's tournament at the Olympics, to showcase what we can potentially unleash at the Olympics.

“The two teams will use the occasion to launch final preparations towards Rio. We are grateful to them (Zimbabwe) agreeing to come here at such a short notice. I hope the fans will come in numbers to watch this encounter as this is something that might not happen more often,” said Banyana Banyana head coach Vera Pauw.

“The last time we played against Zimbabwe, it ended in a goalless draw so this will be good for our preparations. After a few weeks not being in camp, we are happy that we can resume with our training camps. The team must be together and train together, so this match comes at a very important time and that is why we are so happy. We are able to get back into the full swing of things for the last push towards Rio.”

The soccer competition at the Rio Olympics runs from August 3-20.

The South Africans are in Group E alongside Brazil, Sweden and China, while Zimbabwe is in Group F against Canada, Australia and Germany.

Banyana Banyana open their account with a clash against Sweden at the Olympic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday, August 3.

Next on the cards for the women’s national team will be China at the same venue on Saturday, August 6.

The third and last group stages match for Banyana Banyana is a date with the hosts on Tuesday, August 9 at the Amazon Arena in Manaus.

Banyana Banyana Olympic Games fixtures:

Wednesday, August 3
Sweden v South Africa
Olympic Stadium - 18:00 SA time

Saturday, August 6
South Africa v China
Olympic Stadium - 00:00 SA time

Tuesday, August 9
South Africa v Brazil
Amazonia Arena - 02:00 Wednesday, August 10 SA time