GRANJA COMARY - Banyana Banyana want to improve their power and strength in their build-up to the London Olympic Games in July, with Brazilian physical trainer Francesco Gonzales confident that the players have improved immensely.
Gonzales, who is also the physical trainer for Bafana Bafana, put the South African women's team through their paces during their first training session at Brazil's national football training centre, outside Rio de Janeiro, at the weekend.
"There is no doubt that these Banyana Banyana players are fitter and stronger than before, but I have six months to work on their power and strength to ensure maximum bursts from them during matches at the Olympics," Gonzales said.
Footballing body Safa said Banyana would play against club side Zepe de Dugue in the first match of their Brazil trip today.
US-based goalkeeper Roxanne Barker had joined the camp in Teresopolis to complete the contingent of 22 players.
"I played quite a bit of football as a central defender for Durban Ladies in the KwaZulu-Natal Sasol League, but my university coaches have been quite happy with my performances as a goalkeeper and I have stayed in that position since," Barker said.
The 20-year-old, with two Banyana caps to her name, joined fellow goalkeepers Thoko Mndaweni and Mputle Ntshatsana in training under the watchful eye of goalkeeper coach Simon Gopane.
"The spirit in the camp is superb and I think we are in for an exciting few weeks here in Brazil and at the Cyprus Women's Cup later this month," Barker said.
Banyana gear for Olympics
GRANJA COMARY - Banyana Banyana want to improve their power and strength in their build-up to the London Olympic Games in July, with Brazilian physical trainer Francesco Gonzales confident that the players have improved immensely.
Gonzales, who is also the physical trainer for Bafana Bafana, put the South African women's team through their paces during their first training session at Brazil's national football training centre, outside Rio de Janeiro, at the weekend.
"There is no doubt that these Banyana Banyana players are fitter and stronger than before, but I have six months to work on their power and strength to ensure maximum bursts from them during matches at the Olympics," Gonzales said.
Footballing body Safa said Banyana would play against club side Zepe de Dugue in the first match of their Brazil trip today.
US-based goalkeeper Roxanne Barker had joined the camp in Teresopolis to complete the contingent of 22 players.
"I played quite a bit of football as a central defender for Durban Ladies in the KwaZulu-Natal Sasol League, but my university coaches have been quite happy with my performances as a goalkeeper and I have stayed in that position since," Barker said.
The 20-year-old, with two Banyana caps to her name, joined fellow goalkeepers Thoko Mndaweni and Mputle Ntshatsana in training under the watchful eye of goalkeeper coach Simon Gopane.
"The spirit in the camp is superb and I think we are in for an exciting few weeks here in Brazil and at the Cyprus Women's Cup later this month," Barker said.
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