Johannesburg – Banyana Banyana head coach Joseph Mkhonza would take a locally-based South African national senior team to the CAF African Women Championship in Equatorial Guinea starting on October 28.
Despite the absence of the American-based pair of goalkeeper Roxanne Barker and Kylie Ann Louw (study commitments) and experienced Russian-based midfielder Nompumelelo Nyandeni (club commitments), the team have vowed to do their country proud in the cities of Malabo and Bata.
“Losing a player of Nyandeni's talent and experience will always be a setback to any team,” said Mkhonza.
“But the spirit among the players in camp is high and we remain focused on our objective of improving on our world ranking of 56th and African ranking of fourth at the tournament.”
Nyandeni's absence allows for Durban Ladies defender Charlotte Mshengu to take the final spot among the 18 players to travel for the national camp in Yaounde, Cameroon, before the national team heads to Malabo on October 25.
Mshengu impressed the national team coaches during the first week of the national training camp in Johannesburg and offered versatility in being able to play in any defensive position.
After beating Zimbabwe 1-0 in an international friendly at the Dobsonville Stadium on Saturday, Banyana will take on the Zimbabweans again at the Sinaba Stadium, Daveyton, on October 16.
Kickoff is 3pm. – Sapa