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Orlando Stadium will again hear the roar of the soccer crowd when Banyana Banyana take on Ethiopia in the Olympic qualifiers on Saturday.
THE theatre is Soweto and the stage is the world-class Orlando Stadium; here, South Africa’s national women’s squad, Banyana Banyana will take on Ethiopia in the first leg of the Olympic qualifiers, on Saturday, 27 August.

Banyana coachJoseph Mkhonza is confident of beating EthiopiaBanyana coach Joseph Mkhonza is confident of beating EthiopiaThe match kicks off at 3pm. The qualifiers are arguably the highest level Banyana Banyana has played since the readmission of South Africa into world football. The team was established in 1995.
 

Coach Joseph Mkhonza’s side is just 180 minutes – two games – away from claiming a place at the 2012 London Olympics. To achieve this dream, Banyana Banyana will have to boot Ethiopia out of the way in Soweto and again in the return leg of the fixture, to be played in Ethiopia.

No doubt Banyana fancies their chances over Ethiopia, having walloped Mozambique 5-0 in a friendly encounter played in Atteridgeville, Tshwane at the weekend.

Speaking at a media conference on Tuesday, 23 August, Mkhonza said he was confident that the squad would deliver. Included in the team are overseas players such as midfielder Nompumelelo Nyandeni and Kylie Ann Louw. The return of strikers Noko Matlou, recently named Sportswoman of Year at the National Sports Awards; Zanele Sukazi; and captain Amanda Dlamini will surely bring a boost to the squad.

“We are 180 minutes from qualifying and everyone in the training camp is working hard in preparation for this much-awaited match. We have been analysing Ethiopia’s style of playing and we know what to expect, and they also know what to expect from us,” said Mkhonza.

The key factor was for the team to keep focused and to win the first leg in Soweto, so that when they went for the return leg in Ethiopia they were not under pressure. “We have come this far and I want to thank Sasol for supporting the squad all the way.”

Fans can get in for free at Orlando StadiumFree tickets are available for fansEqually confident is the captain of team, Dlamini. “This is a must-win for us and there are no negotiations about it. We have been working very hard. Everyone in the camp has their minds [focused] on winning the game on Saturday.”
 

She urged fans to come out in their numbers: “We are going to showcase great football,” she said.

The technical director of the South African Football Association, Serame Letsoaka said that more than 30 000 free tickets would be handed out at all Sasol Delight stores. “Fans can get their free tickets at Sasol Delight convenience stores in an around Johannesburg.”

Ticket holders can participate in a draw, in which two lucky winners and their partners will win a trip to accompany Banyana Banayna to Ethiopia. Once they have their match tickets, football fans will need to fill in their contact details on the ticket, which will be torn when they enter the stadium on Saturday. The information section must be put into the competition.

A full squad will take on Ethiopia in Saturday’s Olympic qualifier game:

Goal keepers:

Thokozile Mnaweni
Andile Dlamini
Defenders:

Yola Jafta
Amanda Sister
Simphiwe Masina
Gabisisle Hlumbane
Lebogang Mabatle
Nothando Vilakazi
Midfielders:

Mamello Makhabane
Robyn Moodaly
Nompumelelo Nyandeni
Kylie Ann Louw
Mary Ntsweng
Nomathemba Ntsibande
Strikers:

Noko Matlou
Amanda Dlamini
Zanele Sukazi
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