BANYANA Banyana coach Vera Pauw believes the Cyprus Women’s Cup will help the team in their upcoming 2016 Rio Olympic qualifiers.
There were a number of surprises when Pauw named a squad of 23 players.
The Cyprus Cup runs from 2 to 12 March and Banyana have been drawn in Group C along with Belgium, Czech Republic and Mexico and will be based in Ayia Napa.
The SA senior women’s team will face current continental champions Nigeria in May in a two-leg qualifier for their ticket to Brazil.
The Dutch-born mentor said at the recent African Women’s Championship (AWC) in Namibia the team lacked experience to deal with pressure.
Said Pauw: “The tournament is a great opportunity because the event has teams of world quality. This trip is about gaining experience at the highest level so that when we face Nigeria in the qualifiers later this year we would know the pressure of such a game.
“That’s what we were lacking at the AWC. We should know our limits and shortcomings.”
Pauw, whose contract will end just after the Olympics, said they would do everything in their power to qualify.
“It won’t be easy qualifying for the Olympics as the last time Banyana had to play against Ethiopia who didn’t even qualify for the AWC.
“This year we face Nigeria who are number one on the continent,” she said.
Pauw sprung a surprise with the exclusion of the Sasol League National Championship top goal scorer Nandipha Booi and experienced defenders Amanda Sister – who has now been snubbed for the second time by Pauw – and Nomathemba Ntsibande as well as keeper Thoko Mndaweni.
Lerato Kgasago, Tshepiso Mokabane, Disebo Mametja and USA-based Jermaine Seoposenwe make their return to the team.
BANYANA SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Roxanne Barker (Thor, Iceland), Andile Dlamini (Mamelodi Sundowns), Mputle Ntshetsana (Titans Ladies FC).
Defenders: Nothando Vilakazi (Palace Super Falcons), Janine van Wyk (JVW FC), Noko Matlou (Ma-Indies FC), Lebogang Ramalepe (Ma-Indies FC), Tshepiso Mokabane (FC Union Nove Zamky, Slovakia), Lerato Kgasago (Mamelodi Sundowns).
Midfielders: Amanda Dlamini (University of Joburg), Alochia Thobokela (Mamelodi Sundowns), Leandra Smeda (UWC Ladies), Refiloe Jane (VUT Ladies), Mamello Makhabane (Palace Super Falcons), Nompumelelo Nyandeni (JVW FC), Silindile Ngubane (Durban Ladies), Kelso Peskin (Tyler Junior College, Texas, USA).
Forwards: Jermaine Seoposenwe (Samford University, Alabama, USA), Portia Modise (Croesus FC), Sanah Mollo (Mamelodi Sundowns), Shiwe Nogwanya (Bloemfontein Celtic), Rhoda Mulaudzi (Mamelodi Sundowns), Disebo Mametja (University of Joburg).
