Banyana Banyana kick start preparations for the Olympics

The South African Senior Women's National Team, Banyana Banyana is holding a training camp at the High Performance Centre at the University of Stellenbosch, Western Cape.


Banyana Banyana head coach Joseph Mkhonza has called up twenty-six players for physical conditioning as they prepare for the Cyprus Cup tournament. The twelve-nation event is scheduled to take place from 28 February - 6 March 2012.


Three overseas-based players, Nompumelelo Nyandeni, Roxanne Barker and Kylie-Anne Louw have had to return to their clubs but only after undergoing tests in Stellenbosch. They are expected, however, at the beginning of next month.


The team has been taking part in training sessions daily and these are held at the Stellenbosch sports grounds.


"I am happy with the progress of the camp since we began on Monday. The players are working hard and fortunately we have not incurred any injuries up to this point. I am hopeful that with this camp we will be able to build the momentum leading the Cyprus Cup tournament and all the way to the Olympics. A lot of the teams that have been invited to the Cyprus Cup have qualified for the Olympics, so this will be a good test for us as we will gauge ourselves against the top nations in women's football," said Mkhonza.


In Cyprus, South Africa has been drawn in Group C along with South Korea, New Zealand and Northern Ireland. Group A consists of England, Finland, France and Switzerland, while Canada, Holland, Italy and Scotland make up Group B.


Banyana Banyana conclude preparations on the 29th of January 2012.


The full Banyana Banyana team called up for camp:


camp:






Name        Club


1 Thokozile Mndaweni,UJ


2 Roxanne Barker,Peperdine University (USA)


3 Amanda Sister,Liverpool Ladies


4 Nothando Vilakazi,Palace Super Falcons


5 Simphiwe Masina,Detroit Ladies


6 Mary Ntsweng,TUT


7 Gabisile Hlumbane,Kovsies


8 Cindy Leigh Meyer,TUKS


8 Zamandosi Cele,Durban Ladies


9 Nompumelelo Nyandeni,Rossiyanka


10 Nomathemba Ntsibande,Springs Homesweepers


11 Memory Makhanya,Durban Ladies


12 Andisiwe Mgcoyi,Mamelodi Sundowns


14 Noko Matlou (VC),UJ


15 Amanda Dlamini (C),UJ


16 Sanah mollo,Celtic


17 Leandra Smeda,Cape Town Roses


18 Kylie Ann Louw,University of Houston


19 Nocawe Skiti,Cape Town Roses


20 Mamello Makhabane,Palace Super Falcons


21 Yola Jafta,UJ


22 Nondyebo Mgudu,Durban Ladies


23 Tshoene Morifi,Detroit


24 Mputle Ntsetsana,Royal Queens


25 Zanele Sukazi,UJ


26 Refiloe Jane,Mamelodi Sundowns


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