NEW Banyana Banyana coach Vera Pauw is on a mission to build a world-class team to end the dominance of Nigeria, Ghana and Equatorial Guinea in African women's soccer.
As if that is not good enough, Pauw wants Banyana to make it a habit of qualifying for the Olympics and Fifa World Cup finals, which she feels will play a massive role in the development of the sport.
Pauw - who has represented Holland in the World Cup as a player and coach - started her job with a training camp at the High Performance Centre in Tshwane last Wednesday.
A top-rated Fifa instructor and technical study group member, the 51-year-old was impressed by the commitment of the 42 players in camp.
"South Africa has a lot of talented and skilful players ... I'm confident we will build a formidable team which must qualify and do well at the World Cup and Olympic Games," said Pauw.
Her first official assignment will be the 2014 African Women's Championship qualifier against Comoros Islands in May.
Should Banyana overcome Comoros Islands as expected, they will qualify for the finals in Namibia in October.
"We want to be number one in Africa, the good thing about the tournament in Namibia is that the top three countries will go to the 2015 World Cup finals in Canada," Pauw said.
Paying tribute to her predecessor Joseph Mkhonza, Pauw said: "We will build on his successes. I have been informed he is a great talent spotter and it's a great honour for me that I will also be working with him."
Mkhonza was appointed the national selector after the arrival of Pauw.
Banyana coach on mission to build best team
NEW Banyana Banyana coach Vera Pauw is on a mission to build a world-class team to end the dominance of Nigeria, Ghana and Equatorial Guinea in African women's soccer.
As if that is not good enough, Pauw wants Banyana to make it a habit of qualifying for the Olympics and Fifa World Cup finals, which she feels will play a massive role in the development of the sport.
Pauw - who has represented Holland in the World Cup as a player and coach - started her job with a training camp at the High Performance Centre in Tshwane last Wednesday.
A top-rated Fifa instructor and technical study group member, the 51-year-old was impressed by the commitment of the 42 players in camp.
"South Africa has a lot of talented and skilful players ... I'm confident we will build a formidable team which must qualify and do well at the World Cup and Olympic Games," said Pauw.
Her first official assignment will be the 2014 African Women's Championship qualifier against Comoros Islands in May.
Should Banyana overcome Comoros Islands as expected, they will qualify for the finals in Namibia in October.
"We want to be number one in Africa, the good thing about the tournament in Namibia is that the top three countries will go to the 2015 World Cup finals in Canada," Pauw said.
Paying tribute to her predecessor Joseph Mkhonza, Pauw said: "We will build on his successes. I have been informed he is a great talent spotter and it's a great honour for me that I will also be working with him."
Mkhonza was appointed the national selector after the arrival of Pauw.
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