The past
South Africa's nemesis in the Olympic qualifiers have long been Nigeria, with the Super Falcons preventing Banyana Banyana from going all the way in both 2004 and 2008. In the former, South Africa lost all four matches in a three-team group against Nigeria and Ghana – Ethiopia who had qualified for the final round withdrew. Four years later, South Africa again faced Nigeria in the final round and after drawing the first leg on home soil 2-2, then travelled to Abuja, where they suffered a 1-0 loss. This time around, they avoided both Ghana and Nigeria as Africa, for the first time, was allocated two qualifying berths.
The present
Banyana Banyana will be as prepared for the Olympic Women's Football Tournament London 2012 as any other team competing. The South African Football Association technical director of women's football, Fran Hilton-Smith, said that the national association had made the London Olympics a top priority. "The team spent several weeks in a training camp in Brazil and then participated in the Cyprus Cup." Although the team finished ninth out of 12 teams in that event and lost to Korea Republic and Scotland, they managed to beat Northern Ireland and drew with New Zealand. They also have a number of friendlies lined up before competing in London.
The future
"We want to promote South Africa women football," said Banyana Banyana head coach Joseph Mkhonza. "It is our first time in the competition and we will do our best to make a difference. We want South African women's football to be taken seriously. Technically and tactically, South Africa is ok. With good training and motivation the team will gel and go places."
Facts and figures
Former stars:Desiree Ellis (midfield), Veronica Phewa (forward) and Joanne Solomon (forward)
Key players
Amanda Dlamini (midfielder), Noko Matlou (forward), Mpumi Nyandeni (attacking midfielder),Portia Modise(forward)and Janine van Wyk (defender)
South Africa enjoyed an easy ride in the first round of the qualifying tournament, beating Zambia twice for a 5-1 aggregate victory. They then needed a penalty shoot-out to see off Tunisia in the next round before meeting Ethiopia in the final round, advancing to London 4-1 on aggregate.
South Africa Squad List
Goalkeepers
1 Roxanne BARKER
18 Thokozile MNDAWENI
22 Andile DLAMINI
Defenders
3 Nothando VILAKAZI
4 Amanda SISTER
5 Janine VAN WYK
6 Zamandosi CELE
15 Refiloe JANE
19 Lebogang MABATLE
Midfielders
2 Robyn MOODALY
7 Leandra SMEDA
8 Kylie LOUW
9 Amanda DLAMINI
10 Marry NTSWENG
13 Gabisile HLUMBANE
16 Mpumi NYANDENI
20 Nocawe SKITI
Forwards
11 Noko MATLOU
12 Portia MODISE
14 Sanah MOLLO
17 Andisiwe MGCOYI
21 Jermaine SEOPOSENWE
Coach
MKHONZA Mkhonzana
Cameroon
The past
Like South Africa, Cameroon's women's football team will be first-timers in London. Previous attempts to qualify have failed, even Cameroon officials admit, because the standard of the women's game was simply not good enough. In part, the reason for this was because women's football in the country lacked the same organisation that the men's game enjoyed and this prevented the Indomitable Lionesses from reaching the success that they have now attained.
The present
Although the African continent has won only one match at previous Women's Olympic Football Tournaments, Cameroon travel to London full of hope and optimism. Winning the gold medal at the African Games in Maputo last year has instilled a belief that they can do well. "I believe in this group I have patiently built. We made it to the Olympics by eliminating Nigeria, which is one of the best teams in Africa and even one of the best in the world," said coach Enow Nagatchu. "It is the result of work that we started three years ago. I hope these achievements will increase the interest for women's football in Cameroon," he added.
The future
Last year the Cameroon Football Federation made a commitment to improve the organisation of women's football in the country. Although they have a first and second division, as well as a cup competition, there is still a lot of work to be done. A good performance at the Olympic Games would no doubt generate further interest in women’s football throughout the country.
Former stars:Henriette Nzepang, Regine Mvoue, Rita Djob, Manuella Bekombo
Key players
Annette Flore Ngo Ndom (goalkeeper), Françoise Josephine Bella (midfielder, captain), Patience Christine Manie (defender), Gabrielle Aboudi Onguene (forward), Michelle Madeleine Ngono Mani (forward)
Qualifying statistics
The West Africans had no trouble overcoming Mali in the first round, winning both games (5-0 and 1-0). They then faced Equatorial Guinea in the next round and lost 2-0 on aggregate. However, they were re-instated into the competition after one of the Equatorial Guinea players was deemed ineligible. In the final round, Cameroon needed a penalty shoot-out to overcome a stiff challenge from Nigeria.
The numbers game
9: The number of goals Cameroon scored en route to qualifying for the London Olympics.
The numbers game
6: The number of games Banyana Banyana had to play to qualify for their first-ever Olympic tournament.
Cameroon Squad List
Goalkeepers
1 Annette NGO NDOM
18 Reine SOSSO
22 Drusille NGAKO
Defenders
2 Christine MANIE
5 Augustine EJANGUE
13 Claudine MEFFOMETOU
14 Bibi MEDOUA
15 Ysis SONKENG
21 Rosine SIEWE YAMALEU
Midfielders
4 Yvonne LEUKO
6 Francine ZOUGA
8 Raissa FEUDJIO
10 Bebey BEYENE
12 Francoise BELLA
16 Jeannette YANGO
19 Carine YOH
Forwards
3 Ajara NCHOUT
7 Gabrielle ONGUENE
9 Madeleine NGONO MANI
11 Adrienne IVEN
17 Gaelle ENGANAMOUIT
20 Henriette AKABA
Coach:ENOW Carl
source-FIFA.COM
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