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YOUNG BAFANA ALL FIRED UP

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Banyana’s Amanda Dlamini (right) poses with a fan before the team’s departure to Rio. Photo by Gallo Images
Banyana’s Amanda Dlamini (right) poses with a fan before the team’s departure to Rio. Photo by Gallo Images

SOUTH Africa national Under-23 coach Owen Da Gama has fired a warning shot to Olympic host nation Brazil at the weekend before the squad departed for Rio de Janeiro to compete in the world showpiece.

Da Gama said his charges would show no fear when they face the pre-Olympic favourites Brazil in the opening game at Mane Garrincha Stadium, Brasilia, on 4 August.

Young Bafana’s other opponents in Group A are Denmark and Iraq.

The Olympic Games runs from 3-21 August.

Young Bafana will come up against Barcelona superstar and Brazilian hero Neymar. But Da Gama stressed that his boys were not scared of the dribbling wizard.

He warned his players not to get carried away by thoughts of the Brazilian match and risk forgetting about Denmark and Iraq.

Said Da Gama: “We also have a star in our captain Keagan Dolly.” He insisted that Brazil should be worrying about his team.

Da Gama rates the Danish team as the best in Europe. He believes they pose a serious threat in Group A, but hasn’t ruled out lesser known Iraq: “Denmark is the super team. They beat Nigeria 6-2 in a friendly, and that shows you how fantastic that team is. And Iraq reached the Olympic quarterfinals in Athens, Greece, in 2004.”

Da Gama also hailed the influence of overage players, Itumeleng Khune and Eric Mathoho of Kaizer Chiefs. “The contribution of Khune and Mathoho is massive. Itu commands a lot of respect and that is a sign of a good leader.”

  • Meanwhile, Banyana Banyana’s preparations for the Games are also on track. Banyana have been drawn in Group E with Sweden, Brazil and China.

Vera Pauw’s charges face Sweden in the opening game on 3 August at Rio’s Olympic Stadium.

Pauw said she would use the last warm-up match against New Zealand on Thursday in Rio to fine-tune her charges.

She said: “We are raring to go. I am happy with the progress we have made and the players are in good condition.

“This week we changed our programme to start adapting to the Brazilian time zone and we are getting used to it, which means there won’t be much of a struggle to adapt. We will do our best and ensure we fly the flag high.”

Team SA departed for Rio on Saturday.

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