Banyana go high-tech
NATIONAL women's team captain Simphiwe "Shorty" Dludlu has commended Safa and Sasol for their continued support for their preparations for the Caf African Women's Championships in South Africa next month.
Gauteng is likely to be the host province of this continental spectacle.
Banyana Banyana take on Cameroon in a friendly at Moruleng Stadium in Rustenburg on Sunday at 3pm as part of their preparations for the world championships. Dludlu praised the Bojanala district municipality for letting them use the state-of-the-art Bafokeng Sports Centre for their five-day camp.
This is the same training facility used by the England national team during the recent Fifa World Cup and by Absa Premiership club Platinum Stars.
"The support means a lot to the senior women's national team. It means that women's football in the country is been taken seriously," Dludlu said.
"It is an encouragement for the team and this will motivate us to reach greater heights and keep the momentum going."
Her sentiments were echoed by coach Augustine Makalakalane, who felt the set-up was good for the team and that it would inspire the players as they prepare for the championships.
"Safa and Sasol, in joint partnership with the municipality of Bojanala, have done us proud by providing the team with world-class football facilities, accommodation and dietary requirements.
"The distance between the team hotel and the sports fields is convenient, time-efficient and will assist the team in remaining focused in their preparations," Makalakalane said.
Banyana will conduct roadshows at the Rustenburg taxi ranks on Friday afternoon. They will also conduct football clinics for children aged 12 to 15 at the Bafokeng sports fields.