• Tweet

FORMIDABLE OPPONENTS: The national women's team attend a training session in Germany. After Sweden they face Canada and Japan in an extremely tough group. Photo: Mathis Wienand/Getty Images

 We believe we will be highly competitive against the top women's football nations, and make our country proud 

RELATED ARTICLES

• Leopards play catch-up
• 'Unfit' SA refs take big jobs

It is no exaggeration to suggest their match against Sweden at Coventry in Group F is the toughest the women's national team have ever faced.

Their opponents were third at last year's Women's World Cup in Germany and are former winners of the top prize in women's football.

By contrast, South Africa compete in a senior Fifa women's tournament for the first time, having finally beaten their bogey in the qualifying competition.

Banyana Banyana have had millions poured into extensive preparations to make them competitive but there are still genuine fears that the team will be out of their depth, even though coach Joseph Mkhonza insists: "We believe we will be highly competitive against the top women's football nations, and make our country proud."

Unlike the men's tournament, which is played at under-23 level, the eight-team women's competition is at full international level, in effect a mini-World Cup.

Also in Banyana's group are world champions Japan and the strong Canadians. South Africa's second game is against Canada in Coventry on Saturday and they then go to Cardiff to take on Japan on Tuesday.

Their participation in the Games is likely to be over just days into the Olympics. All three teams in South Africa's group are legitimate medal contenders.

Banyana Banyana have the potential, if they can avoid defeat, to be the catalyst for increased development of the women's game.

Comments

• Sign in or sign up to comment

Wed May 22 21:26:39 SAST 2013 ::

Jul 24, 2012

golezwa

Their participation in the Games is likely to be over just days into the Olympics. All three teams in South Africa's group are legitimate medal contenders.
=======================
why cant you believe in Banyana the way you believe in Bafana even when they're playing dismally??? i meant prior to 2010 Soccer World Cup, sowetan was tipping Bafana for a semi-final spot
Report Abuse

Jul 24, 2012

Zane10

I second that Golezwa, they are discouraging our womens team. How do we expect them to do well if they going to say things like those? We need to be behind those ladies and support them all the way, they have done well so far!!! Good luck ladies, to be the best you need to beat the best... So show those Swedes and Japanese what you can do!!!!
Report Abuse

Jul 24, 2012

McLoving

Good luck Banyana Banyana.You go there and make us proud.We all rallying behind you girls...Show them your worth.
I will be there on Saturday at the Coventry Stadium. singing shosholoza baby!.go get them girls.,,

Report Abuse

Jul 24, 2012

SeshegoGuY

Come on Sowetan..How about being Patriotic???? Sies man!!!!!!!!

Go Banyana Banyana..We r with u all the way
Report Abuse

Jul 24, 2012

Tasto

Reality dictate that BB are in hiding for nothing,the only achievement to pray for is not to lose by rugby-scores !!
Report Abuse

Jul 24, 2012

Shredder

"Their participation in the Games is likely to be over just days into the Olympics."

Mark Gleeson how could you say that mare? Nxa!!
Report Abuse

Jul 24, 2012

Tasto

Guys did you see USA in last WorldCup - there is one Abby Wambach & Solo their goalkeeper!! BB is in different leugue those Japanese worked their socks off in that final! Unless you say soccer ball is round is 11 vs 11 then anything is possible but on paper mismatch !!
Report Abuse

Jul 24, 2012

777LENGAU

We really proud of you makes us happy girls bring it back home.
Report Abuse

Read all 8 comments