Banyana Banyana coach Vera Pauw is without some of her key players ahead of Saturday's third-round 2016 Rio Olympics qualifier against Kenya at Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto.
Mamello Makhabane, Refiloe Jane, Roxanne Barker and Jermaine Seopesenwe are all not available for the first-leg encounter for various reasons, and it's a big concern for the Dutch coach.
Seopesenwe scored four goals over two legs against Gabon in the previous round as Banyana hammered their opponents 8-2 on aggregate.
The responsibility of scoring goals will now fall on the likes of Shiwe Nogwanya and Sanah Mollo, who scored twice in the emphatic victory over Gabon.
"Jermaine is away because of her exam. It is going to affect us. She is our main scorer, but fortunately we have so much talent and we have a big pool of players. We just have to give our best," Pauw said yesterday.
"Roxanne Barker has a professional contract in Iceland and they did not release her because this game is outside the Fifa calendar. Makhabane has an infection but hopefully she will be strong for the second leg. Jane was supposed to land on July 12 from the student games in [South] Korea. That was the agreement. I am very disappointed.
"I think we still have a chance of having a very good game. We have to be on our toes to deliver the same way we did against Gabon."
Goalkeeper Andile Dlamini is likely to start in goal and is determined to cement her place in the starting line-up in the absence of regular number one Barker.
The 22-year-old Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies player would like to follow in the footsteps of retired Banyana keeper Thoko Mndaweni.
"Thoko was a positive person. She was my role model and I have taken the experience she has given me," Dlamini said.
"It has helped my game. I think I am ready to take the number one jersey but I need to work hard. I have been on the bench and I know my chance will come."
Banyana still strong without key players
Banyana Banyana coach Vera Pauw is without some of her key players ahead of Saturday's third-round 2016 Rio Olympics qualifier against Kenya at Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto.
Mamello Makhabane, Refiloe Jane, Roxanne Barker and Jermaine Seopesenwe are all not available for the first-leg encounter for various reasons, and it's a big concern for the Dutch coach.
Seopesenwe scored four goals over two legs against Gabon in the previous round as Banyana hammered their opponents 8-2 on aggregate.
The responsibility of scoring goals will now fall on the likes of Shiwe Nogwanya and Sanah Mollo, who scored twice in the emphatic victory over Gabon.
"Jermaine is away because of her exam. It is going to affect us. She is our main scorer, but fortunately we have so much talent and we have a big pool of players. We just have to give our best," Pauw said yesterday.
"Roxanne Barker has a professional contract in Iceland and they did not release her because this game is outside the Fifa calendar. Makhabane has an infection but hopefully she will be strong for the second leg. Jane was supposed to land on July 12 from the student games in [South] Korea. That was the agreement. I am very disappointed.
"I think we still have a chance of having a very good game. We have to be on our toes to deliver the same way we did against Gabon."
Goalkeeper Andile Dlamini is likely to start in goal and is determined to cement her place in the starting line-up in the absence of regular number one Barker.
The 22-year-old Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies player would like to follow in the footsteps of retired Banyana keeper Thoko Mndaweni.
"Thoko was a positive person. She was my role model and I have taken the experience she has given me," Dlamini said.
"It has helped my game. I think I am ready to take the number one jersey but I need to work hard. I have been on the bench and I know my chance will come."
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