Full strength Banyana Banyana team set to chase the Olympic Dream in Soweto

Banyana Banyana coach Joseph Mkhonza and captain Amanda Dlamini have called on Gauteng football fans to fill the 40 000 capacity Orlando Stadium, Soweto on Saturday, 27 August 2011 to give the senior women’s national side the edge, when they take on Ethiopia in an Olympic Qualifier, first leg encounter.


Ethiopia is expected to land in South Africa on Tuesday, 23 August 2011 at 13h15 at the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.


“Football fans will need to get their tickets at the Sasol Delight Convenience Stores in and around Johannesburg in order to assure themselves of a place among the crowd for Saturday’s match,” said Mkhonza, whose national team is fresh from a resounding 5-0 win over Mozambique in an international friendly match in Atteridgeville, Tshwane at the weekend.


“While Banyana Banyana has won 11 of their 13 matches played in 2011, Saturday’s game is the most important. A win will put Banyana Banyana just one match away from qualifying for the 2012 London Olympics, before we play the Ethiopians at their home ground on September 11. Banyana Banyana needs to get a few goals at Orlando to ensure a comfortable cushion for the return leg as travelling to play in foreign territory can often bring in surprise elements and we don’t want to take any chances,” added Mkhonza, who will announce the Saturday squad at a media briefing on Tuesday, 23 August 2011.


Fresh from representing South Africa at the World Student Games in China, Banyana Banyana captain Amanda Dlamini said: “Banyana Banyana has had a good 2011 campaign and we are just two games away from achieving our Olympic dream, the ultimate goal for any athlete. We are calling on football fans, particularly female in this August Women’s Month, to come to the Orlando Stadium to cheer Banyana Banyana on.”


Ticket holders will be in for a treat by way of a halftime draw that will see two lucky winners and their partners set to accompany Banyana Banyana to Ethiopia to witness the return leg Olympic Qualifying fixture on September 11. The competition is made possible by Sasol, proud sponsor of Banyana Banyana.


Once in possession of match tickets, football fans will need to fill in their contact details on the back of the ticket. Upon arrival at the stadium, the ticket will then be torn into two pieces – one to be thrown into the competition box provided at the entry point of the stadium, the other piece to be kept by the fan for the half time draw.


Banyana Banyana squad :

GOALKEEPERS  
Thokozile Mndaweni Croesus FC
Andile Dlamini   Sundowns ladies FC
 DEFENDERS  
Yola Jafta     University of Johannesburg
Amanda Sister     Liverpool Ladies
Simphiwe Masina   Detroit Ladies
Gabisile Hlumbane Kovsies FC
Lebogang Mabatle Hallelujah Zebra Force
Nothando Vilakazi   Palace Super Falcons
MIDFIELDERS  
Mamello Makhabane   Palace Super Falcons
Robyn Moodaly   Dlalantombazana
 Nompumelelo Nyandeni    (Rossiyanka (Russia)
Kylie Ann Louw Stephen Austin University (Texas, USA)
Mary Ntsweng Tshwane University of Technology
Nomathemba Ntsibande   Springs Homesweepers
 Sana Mollo     Bloemfontein Celtics
STRIKERS  
Noko Matlou Brazilians FC
Amanda Dlamini (capt) University of Johannesburg
Zanele Sukazi   University of Johannesburg


safa.net