THE South African Senior Women’s National Team (Banyana Banyana) is preparing for their third and final match of their Brazilian tour. Banyana Banyana will face 2010 World Military Games champions Selecao do Marinha in a re-match (the two teams met on Saturday with the home side winning three two). The clash will take place in Rio de Janeiro last wednesday.
Taking time off after gruelling training sessions during their training camp in South America, defender Janine van Wyk revealed how her new tattoos have inspired her play.
“It has always been my dream to compete at the Olympics and I am proud to have the Olympic rings on my right arm. There are also words around my arm – Passion, Vision, Believe, Patience and Pride, these are cornerstones around which my play is built,” said van Wyk, who has scored 7 goals in her 70 matches for Banyana Banyana.
“Also, I have added the African continent, because I won’t only be representing South Africa at the Olympics but indeed carrying the hopes of Africa. There are two swallows tattooed on my arm as well and these symbolise family, peace and love.”
Van Wyk described Wednesday’s re-match as a superb opportunity for the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana to set the record straight.
“We played with pride and matched the opposition particularly in the second half. It’s a good thing that we have the South American tour prior to our team’s participation at the Cyprus Women’s Cup later this month as I believe we will be in a better shape physically and our play will have improved which should help us,” she added.
South Africa’s head coach Joseph Mkhonza is expected to field most of the players who played in the second half during Banyana Banyana’s loss to Selecao do Marinha on Saturday.
“Selecao do Marinha are a very physical side, but I intend playing a strong combination from the start on Wednesday, and I don’t think we will find ourselves 3-1 down like we were on Saturday. Our girls rose to the occasion only in the second 45 minutes on Saturday, and we need to do that from the first whistle this time around.”
