A MORBID-looking Banyana Banyana coach Vera Pauw seemed almost resigned to the fact her team could be out of the African Women's Championship.
Pauw hinted that she would not make changes to the team that lost 1-0 to Cameroon, for today's clash against Ghana (kickoff 8pm SA time). Defeat would see their World Cup qualification hopes vanish in the punishing Namibian heat.
"Until we heard of this press conference, we were planning to sit down and discuss the composition of the team. We were taken out of the meeting to be here and we had to cancel the team meeting, which is why we haven't decided yet," Pauw said.
"Remember, we dominated three-quarters of the Cameroon game and they created their goal from a mistake from our build-up and the goalkeeper misjudged the ball. After analysing the game, we realised it had a lot to do with the game being the first game at this altitude.
"Everybody knows that the ball goes harder and faster here and we have been working on that. It has affected how we play and how we pass. It's because of the altitude."
An equally morose-looking captain Janine van Wyk is accustomed to seeing Banyana do well when their backs are to the wall.
Van Wyk said Ghana's equal desperation after losing to Algeria would make them a dangerous team.
Meanwhile, Banyana midfielder Amanda Dlamini said the team should regroup and see off Ghana tonight.
"Now it is for us to regroup in the remaining games and make sure that we keep our composure and be able to utilise our chances," Dlamini said.
"Ghana are one of the powerhouses of African Women''s football and they can''t be taken lightly. They are ranked higher than us and we will give them that sense of respect but on the field, it is 11 against 11 and it can go either way."
Banyana's Pauw to keep same team
A MORBID-looking Banyana Banyana coach Vera Pauw seemed almost resigned to the fact her team could be out of the African Women's Championship.
Pauw hinted that she would not make changes to the team that lost 1-0 to Cameroon, for today's clash against Ghana (kickoff 8pm SA time). Defeat would see their World Cup qualification hopes vanish in the punishing Namibian heat.
"Until we heard of this press conference, we were planning to sit down and discuss the composition of the team. We were taken out of the meeting to be here and we had to cancel the team meeting, which is why we haven't decided yet," Pauw said.
"Remember, we dominated three-quarters of the Cameroon game and they created their goal from a mistake from our build-up and the goalkeeper misjudged the ball. After analysing the game, we realised it had a lot to do with the game being the first game at this altitude.
"Everybody knows that the ball goes harder and faster here and we have been working on that. It has affected how we play and how we pass. It's because of the altitude."
An equally morose-looking captain Janine van Wyk is accustomed to seeing Banyana do well when their backs are to the wall.
Van Wyk said Ghana's equal desperation after losing to Algeria would make them a dangerous team.
Meanwhile, Banyana midfielder Amanda Dlamini said the team should regroup and see off Ghana tonight.
"Now it is for us to regroup in the remaining games and make sure that we keep our composure and be able to utilise our chances," Dlamini said.
"Ghana are one of the powerhouses of African Women''s football and they can''t be taken lightly. They are ranked higher than us and we will give them that sense of respect but on the field, it is 11 against 11 and it can go either way."
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