New coach to lead Banyana the first time
Newly appoined Banyana coach Vera Pauw will lead them for the first time.
BANYANA Banyana coach Vera Pauw is happy to have a full complement of players in camp as they step up preparations ahead of the international friendly match against Zimbabwe.
Banyana Banyana will take on neighbours Zimbabwe in an international friendly match on Saturday, April 12 at Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto. The kickoff is at 12:30.
The encounter will be used to prepare for the CAF African Women’s Championship qualifier against Comoros towards the end of May.
The last time Banyana Banyana faced Zimbabwe in an international friendly was in June last year at Sinaba Stadium in Daveyton. The match ended 1-1.
Pauw has called up 31 players following the selection camp that took place two weeks ago. She aims to put together a strong squad for the CAF African Women’s Championships scheduled for Windhoek, Namibia in October.
USA-based defender Jermaine Seoposenwe and midfielder Kylie-Ann Louw will however not be part of the squad. The coach has in their place brought in Letago Madiba, who plays for the Tshwane University of Technology Ladies side.
“This is our first official training following the selection camp two weeks ago. These players will form the core base of the squad, consisting of about 25 players. But for the match against Zimbabwe, I will have to trim the squad to 18 players.
“I am going to give every player a fair chance and expect to see stiff competition. A combination of new and old faces should provide a positive vibe in the team set-up,” said Pauw.
The Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana will play a practice match against the School of Excellence u.16 squad on Tuesday (8 April) at Bedfordview FC Training Grounds.
“The encounter against the boys will provide me with a good assessment on areas which we need to work on. I have seen past footage of games against Zimbabwe; they are a good side and this would also be good preparation for the team that will play against Comoros in the African Women’s Championship qualifiers. We want to make huge steps in building the best possible squad for the Championships in October,” said Pauw.
Newly appointed SASOL Banyana Banyana head coach Vera Pauw will lead the Senior Women’s National Team for the first time since her appointment last month.
