Banyana Banyana Head Coach Desiree Ellis says the training camp has been going well ahead of their friendly games against Zambia and Botswana, and she’s been pleased with the involvement of some of the foreign-based players.
South Africa and Zambia will meet on Saturday, and then three days later Banyana face Botswana.
Both matches will be played at the Bidvest Stadium in Milpark, with kickoffs at 15h00.
Ellis says it has been great to have the Spain-based trio of Thembi Kgatlana, Noko Matlou and Amanda Mthandi join the team, and she’s been pleased to see their professionalism rubbing off on the rest of the squad.
“Look, it’s gone really well,” Ellis told SAFA media.
“We have Thembi, Noko and Amanda, in camp, and you can already see the professionalism rubbing off on the players. And that is what we anticipated.”
“But it’s another challenge for this group of players. Zambia is most probably ahead of us in terms of preparation, as they’re also getting ready for the Olympics, Botswana has been in camp, this is their second week, so they might also be ahead of us, but that is the challenges that we put to the players, is to consistently raise the levels and raise themselves because we all know when everyone is available, it’s more difficult with selection.”
“So if you raise your hand, we have a difficult decision.”
“But training has been really good over the last couple of days, and we’re really looking forward to the rest of the week to complete the training.”
“And we’ve been joking with Thembi, to say she’s done really well. And, you know, we anxious, we looking forward to see her in Banyana. And when you look at the training that we had, you could see her finishing has improved.”
“And now that’s got to rub off on the rest of the players, and it’s important, that has been a big achilles heel for us. And if we can sort that out, then you know, half the battle will be won.”
