Linda Moreotsene

Linda Moreotsene

After the 4-1 beating they handed Zimbabwe in Harare a week ago, the Banyana Banyana camp is again brimming with confidence in their ability to conquer Africa.

This match, an African Women Championships qualifier, was the first competitive game in which Augustine Makalakalane unleashed the new players he has been scouring the country for, for quite some time.

The search yielded several promising strikers, and as he prepares for the return leg against the Zimbabweans next week at the Caledonian stadium, Makalakalane is already looking ahead to the finals of this tournament towards the end of the year, where Banyana will meet the big guns.

"Until we beat continental powerhouses, we won't seriously rate ourselves. Right now we occupy top place in southern Africa, but for us that is not enough. Nothing less than representation at an international competition will do," Makalakalane said.

Coming in to boost the tried and tested is Noko Matlou, who was the scorer of a brace - her maiden goals for the national team - in Zimbabwe.

Santos' Danielle Clayford is another player whose future looks bright, Makalakalane said.