HISTORY is beckoning for Banyana Banyana on Sunday. The senior national women's team is 90 minutes away from becoming the first Banyana side to qualify for the Olympic Games.
They travel to Addis Ababa on Friday to engage Ethiopia in the second leg of a decisive 2012 London Olympics qualifier.
Banyana take a healthy 3-0 lead to the Ethiopian capital, thanks to Noko "Beep Beep" Matlou's inspired performance at Orlando Stadium two weeks ago - she scored all three goals.
Kickoff on Sunday is at 5pm (South African time).
Speaking after yesterday's training session at the Transnet Football School of Excellence, Matlou said: "We are going there for a win and to make South Africa proud.
"The game against Ethiopia will be a tough one despite the fact that we beat them heavily at home. We have been warned to expect a full house in Addis Ababa, but they must expect yet another big hiding.
"We are delighted that we have approached the door of glory and we want to become the first Banyana Banyana team to qualify for a global competition.
"The plan for us is to go out there and unsettle them with an early goal otherwise we can find ourselves in serious trouble," she said.
Asked how many goals she planed to score on Sunday, Matlou said it was not about scoring but about contributing to the success of the team.
Safa women's soccer committee convenor Nomsa Mahlangu said: "Sunday is the most important day in the history of Banyana Banyana."
Acting Banyana manager Abram Ndawonde added: "Everything is going according to plan and we are looking forward to another win against Ethiopia."
Meanwhile, Banyana's 'B' squad, coached by Bongani Yengwa, is in Mozambique for the All Africa Games where they hammered Zimbabwe 4-1 in their opening match.
The Banyana squad for Sunday's match is:
GOALKEEPERS - Thokozile Mndaweni (Croesus FC), Andile Dlamini (Sundowns Ladies)
DEFENDERS - Yola Jafta (University of Johannesburg), Amanda Sister (Liverpool Ladies), Simphiwe Masina (Detroit Ladies), Gabisile Hlumbane (Kovsies FC), Lebogang Mabatle (Hallelujah Zebra Force), Nothando Vilakazi (Palace Super Falcons)
MIDFIELDERS - Mamello Makhabane (Palace Super Falcons), Robyn Moodaly (Dlalantombazana), Nompumelelo Nyandeni (Rossiyanka, Russia), Kylie-Ann Louw (Stephen Austin University, US), Mary Ntsweng (Tshwane University of Technology), Nomathemba Ntsibande (Springs Home Sweepers), Sanah Mollo (Bloemfontein Celtic),
FORWARDS - Noko Matlou (UJ), Amanda Dlamini (UJ) and Zanele Sukazi (UJ).
Banyana knock on glory's door
HISTORY is beckoning for Banyana Banyana on Sunday. The senior national women's team is 90 minutes away from becoming the first Banyana side to qualify for the Olympic Games.
They travel to Addis Ababa on Friday to engage Ethiopia in the second leg of a decisive 2012 London Olympics qualifier.
Banyana take a healthy 3-0 lead to the Ethiopian capital, thanks to Noko "Beep Beep" Matlou's inspired performance at Orlando Stadium two weeks ago - she scored all three goals.
Kickoff on Sunday is at 5pm (South African time).
Speaking after yesterday's training session at the Transnet Football School of Excellence, Matlou said: "We are going there for a win and to make South Africa proud.
"The game against Ethiopia will be a tough one despite the fact that we beat them heavily at home. We have been warned to expect a full house in Addis Ababa, but they must expect yet another big hiding.
"We are delighted that we have approached the door of glory and we want to become the first Banyana Banyana team to qualify for a global competition.
"The plan for us is to go out there and unsettle them with an early goal otherwise we can find ourselves in serious trouble," she said.
Asked how many goals she planed to score on Sunday, Matlou said it was not about scoring but about contributing to the success of the team.
Safa women's soccer committee convenor Nomsa Mahlangu said: "Sunday is the most important day in the history of Banyana Banyana."
Acting Banyana manager Abram Ndawonde added: "Everything is going according to plan and we are looking forward to another win against Ethiopia."
Meanwhile, Banyana's 'B' squad, coached by Bongani Yengwa, is in Mozambique for the All Africa Games where they hammered Zimbabwe 4-1 in their opening match.
The Banyana squad for Sunday's match is:
GOALKEEPERS - Thokozile Mndaweni (Croesus FC), Andile Dlamini (Sundowns Ladies)
DEFENDERS - Yola Jafta (University of Johannesburg), Amanda Sister (Liverpool Ladies), Simphiwe Masina (Detroit Ladies), Gabisile Hlumbane (Kovsies FC), Lebogang Mabatle (Hallelujah Zebra Force), Nothando Vilakazi (Palace Super Falcons)
MIDFIELDERS - Mamello Makhabane (Palace Super Falcons), Robyn Moodaly (Dlalantombazana), Nompumelelo Nyandeni (Rossiyanka, Russia), Kylie-Ann Louw (Stephen Austin University, US), Mary Ntsweng (Tshwane University of Technology), Nomathemba Ntsibande (Springs Home Sweepers), Sanah Mollo (Bloemfontein Celtic),
FORWARDS - Noko Matlou (UJ), Amanda Dlamini (UJ) and Zanele Sukazi (UJ).
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