Banyana suffer injury blow

Cape Town - Banyana Banyana have been dealt a major injury blow after Shiwe Nogwanya was ruled out of the rest of the Rio Olympics with an ankle injury.

The striker suffered the injury during the first half of Banyana's narrow 1-0 defeat to Sweden in their opening game of Group E.

Nogwanya underwent scans after the clash and when the results came back, she was advised by the medical team to take no further part in the competition.

Her withdrawal means coach Vera Pauw will have to make changes to the starting line-up ahead of the team's next match against China on Saturday.

It is virtually a must-win clash for Banyana as they face a strong Brazil outfit in their final Group E outing.

Goalkeeper Roxanna Barker remains optimistic that the team can record the result they need against the Chinese.

"We have to look forward with renewed energy to our next assignment to make sure we get positive results so that we stay in contention for the quarterfinals," Barker told the SAFA's official website.

Huge loss to our team, but wish her a speedy recovery and hope to see her on the playing field soon again ?? https://t.co/O9dJVmsoG6

— Janine Van Wyk (@Janinevanwyk5) August 5, 2016

Image: Getty