After millions of rands were pumped into their preparations, Banyana Banyana were knocked out of the Olympics after just two pool games.
After millions of rands were pumped into their preparations, Banyana Banyana were knocked out of the Olympics after just two pool games.
Banyana succumbed to their second defeat of the competition on Saturday, losing 2-0 to China to leave them bottom of the group and with no possibility of sneaking into the knockout phase.
Hosts Brazil, Banyana's next opponents, are top of the group on six points while Sweden and China are both on three points thanks to their victories over the South African team.
Even if Banyana beat Brazil tomorrow, it will not be enough to get them through to the knockout phase of the competition.
"I think that everybody needs to rate our performances in a realistic manner," said Banyana coach Vera Pauw after the defeat to China.
"Being 52nd in the world rankings and having an equal game against nations who are in the top 10 is in itself a huge improvement," said Pauw, who then called for a professional women's league in South Africa.
"A professional league is crucial. There's no reason why it cannot first start with the PSL teams in Gauteng because everybody says there is no money for it.
"Then you will get professional coaching staff and the best players will play with and against each other. The programme we have cannot continue in the [same] way.
"If you want to go to the World Cup, then we should have a professional league."
Banyana were using the competition to get exposure. Many players in the team are eager to secure contracts overseas.
"We hope that clubs will start to recognise the skills of our players and their capacity and that they can earn contracts abroad. I think many players will add something to top level teams overseas."
Banyana were hoping to perform better than they did at the last Olympics in London, where they earned just one point. But they could end with no points in the bag because they will face a determined Brazilian teaml.
lSee page 25
Lowly ranking floored Banyana in Rio - Pauw
After millions of rands were pumped into their preparations, Banyana Banyana were knocked out of the Olympics after just two pool games.
After millions of rands were pumped into their preparations, Banyana Banyana were knocked out of the Olympics after just two pool games.
Banyana succumbed to their second defeat of the competition on Saturday, losing 2-0 to China to leave them bottom of the group and with no possibility of sneaking into the knockout phase.
Hosts Brazil, Banyana's next opponents, are top of the group on six points while Sweden and China are both on three points thanks to their victories over the South African team.
Even if Banyana beat Brazil tomorrow, it will not be enough to get them through to the knockout phase of the competition.
"I think that everybody needs to rate our performances in a realistic manner," said Banyana coach Vera Pauw after the defeat to China.
"Being 52nd in the world rankings and having an equal game against nations who are in the top 10 is in itself a huge improvement," said Pauw, who then called for a professional women's league in South Africa.
"A professional league is crucial. There's no reason why it cannot first start with the PSL teams in Gauteng because everybody says there is no money for it.
"Then you will get professional coaching staff and the best players will play with and against each other. The programme we have cannot continue in the [same] way.
"If you want to go to the World Cup, then we should have a professional league."
Banyana were using the competition to get exposure. Many players in the team are eager to secure contracts overseas.
"We hope that clubs will start to recognise the skills of our players and their capacity and that they can earn contracts abroad. I think many players will add something to top level teams overseas."
Banyana were hoping to perform better than they did at the last Olympics in London, where they earned just one point. But they could end with no points in the bag because they will face a determined Brazilian teaml.
lSee page 25
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