BANYANA Banyana coach Joseph Mkhonza has described today's African Women's Championship semifinal against Nigeria's Super Falcons in Equatorial Guinea as the biggest game of his career since he started guiding the South African women's senior team.
"Banyana Banyana have never defeated Nigeria before, but there is always a first time in everything in life," said Mkhonza who is hoping for a double celebration this week after winning the South African coach of the year award at the SA Sports Awards on Sunday night.
"There is no doubt it will be a hell of a tough game because Nigeria have been monopolising women's soccer on the continent for a very long time. For us to be crowned champions, we have to play and beat the big guns.
"When we left home, we promised South Africa that we would come back with a gold medal. We are not intimidated by the fact that we are meeting Nigeria, we have done our homework and are ready to finally get our first win against them.
"We want to be ranked the number one team in Africa, for us to achieve that we have to beat the number one ranked side, in Nigeria."
Mkhonza is happy that Banyana have regained their appetite for goals after walloping the Democratic Republic of Congo 4-1 in their last Group A match in Bata on Saturday night to qualify for the semifinals.
Five-time winners Nigeria booked their place after registering a 3-1 win over Ivory Coast on Sunday night to end their Group B campaign with a well deserved 100% record.
The West Africans are the reigning champions after winning the 2010 tournament in South Africa when they beat Equatorial Guinea, who will meet Cameroon in the other semifinal in the capital Malabo also today.
The South Africans will have to keep a close eye on Nigerian star Perpetua Nkwocha who plays for Swedish club Sunnana SK. Today's game will be a battle between Okwocha and veteran Banyana striker Portia "Bashin" Modise.
"I have no doubt we will make history by becoming the first team to beat the Super Falcons in the history of Banyana Banyana," said Modise.
Mkhonza faces greatest test
BANYANA Banyana coach Joseph Mkhonza has described today's African Women's Championship semifinal against Nigeria's Super Falcons in Equatorial Guinea as the biggest game of his career since he started guiding the South African women's senior team.
"Banyana Banyana have never defeated Nigeria before, but there is always a first time in everything in life," said Mkhonza who is hoping for a double celebration this week after winning the South African coach of the year award at the SA Sports Awards on Sunday night.
"There is no doubt it will be a hell of a tough game because Nigeria have been monopolising women's soccer on the continent for a very long time. For us to be crowned champions, we have to play and beat the big guns.
"When we left home, we promised South Africa that we would come back with a gold medal. We are not intimidated by the fact that we are meeting Nigeria, we have done our homework and are ready to finally get our first win against them.
"We want to be ranked the number one team in Africa, for us to achieve that we have to beat the number one ranked side, in Nigeria."
Mkhonza is happy that Banyana have regained their appetite for goals after walloping the Democratic Republic of Congo 4-1 in their last Group A match in Bata on Saturday night to qualify for the semifinals.
Five-time winners Nigeria booked their place after registering a 3-1 win over Ivory Coast on Sunday night to end their Group B campaign with a well deserved 100% record.
The West Africans are the reigning champions after winning the 2010 tournament in South Africa when they beat Equatorial Guinea, who will meet Cameroon in the other semifinal in the capital Malabo also today.
The South Africans will have to keep a close eye on Nigerian star Perpetua Nkwocha who plays for Swedish club Sunnana SK. Today's game will be a battle between Okwocha and veteran Banyana striker Portia "Bashin" Modise.
"I have no doubt we will make history by becoming the first team to beat the Super Falcons in the history of Banyana Banyana," said Modise.
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