Mpumalangans to welcome Banyana Banyana as they face Tanzania at Mbombela Stadium
The players of the national female team are ready to fight for a place in the 2024 Olympics to represent South Africa in France.
The South African senior women’s soccer team, Banyana Banyana, will take their clash against Tanzania’s national team to the trusted Mbombela Stadium next Tuesday, February 27, for the 2024 Olympic qualifiers.
The kick-off for this battle is at 19:00. The 2024 Olympic Games will be held from Friday July 26 until Sunday August 11 in Paris, France.
In preparing for the qualifiers, Banyana Banyana have been hard at work since last Monday. Coach Desiree Ellis stressed the importance of the preparation camp, with the Hollywoodbets League season yet to return to action, and also gave credit to the players for their work ethic.
“Some players have really put in a lot of work. Thank you to the clubs as well for the work they have put in during the pre-season. When we started training last Monday, things were a bit rusty, but then the players picked up,” said Ellis. “We were just trying to find that energy and that connection, because it is a group of players who have been together for a while. So it was not difficult to find that connection.”
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The Sasol-sponsored South African senior women’s team ended 2023 on a high after having qualified for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations following a victory against Burkina Faso.
Ellis hopes to carry that same spirit as the team goes into the third round of the qualifiers against Tanzania.
Speaking to Mpumalanga News on the stadium’s readiness for this clash, the Mbombela Stadium spokesperson, Mthuthuzeli Qamba, said the pitch was in a perfectly playable condition, and that they are confident to be able to host a successful fixture.
He also appealed to local soccer fans to come and support the national team, just to give them the extra confidence and morale support they need.
“This is our national team and they need our support, because when they qualify for the Olympic Games they will get to represent the entire country on an international stage. So they need our support now more than ever. Tickets for this game are already selling at an affordable R50 for adults and R20 for children. The game kicks off at 19:00, but the gates will be opened at 17:00, and so we would like to urge soccer fans to come early so they can get parking space inside the precinct,” said Qamba.
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