Banyana Banyana - A downgrade in ratings

Caroline Seger of Sweden wins tackle against Emilia Appelqvist of Sweden during the 2016 Rio Olympic Games Women Football match between South Africa and Sweden at the Olympic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on 03 August 2016 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix

Caroline Seger of Sweden wins tackle against Emilia Appelqvist of Sweden during the 2016 Rio Olympic Games Women Football match between South Africa and Sweden at the Olympic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on 03 August 2016 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix

Published Aug 11, 2016

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Just like they did in London four years ago, Banyana will return from the Olympics with a point. Njabulo Ngidi rates the players who did duty in Brazil.

Roxanne Barker 7 out of 10

Despite her costly errors, Barker was the side’s best player in the Olympics. If it wasn’t for her, Banyana would have been humiliated even though her butter fingers were the reason for two of the three goals conceded. And there lies the terrible position goalkeepers find themselves in, their mistakes live for eternity while their saves are quick to fade in the memory.

Janine van Wyk 4 out of 10

The defender’s memorable moment in these Olympics is a crucial block to deny a goal-bound effort by Sweden. She spent most of her time chasing the action rather than anticipating it well which is a key skill for a centreback. The passion she has for the game and the national team pushed her. She provided leadership at the back and brought a calming effect when they were nervous at set-pieces.

Noko Matlou 5 out of 10

The 2008 African Footballer of the Year started this tournament shakily, even though this was her second appearance in the Olympics. In the 2012 Games she played as a forward but this time around she was the one keeping an eye on strikers as a centreback. Once she settled, she was solid. She put her speed to good use to keep five-time World Footballer of the Year Marta at bay. But she and Van Wyk were easily broken down by neat passing or when the ball was played behind them, forcing Barker to play the role of sweeper.

Lebogang Ramalepe 6 out of 10

Playing in the Olympics was a dream come true for the right-back. She watched Banyana Banyana play in the 2012 edition and told herself she will be there the next time they play in the Games. She did that and didn’t disappoint. Her speed came in handy to deal with persistent wingers. She also started attacks with her ability to switch play with ease.

Nothando Vilakazi 6 out of 10

Vilakazi showed why she has been a constant figure in Banyana’s defence since making her debut against Ghana in 2007 - drawing nearer to 100 appearances. She is a consistent player who is strong defensively just as she is a threat going forward. A number of Jermaine Seoposenwe’s runs at opponents were started by her. She shifted to support the centrebacks in a tournament that saw Banyana mostly in defensive mode.

Mamello Makhabane 5 out of 10

It was a special moment for Makhabane when she walked into the Olympic Stadium to make her debut in the Games against Sweden. It should have been her second appearance there but she missed London because of a groin injury after featuring prominently in the qualifiers. She made the most of the occasion as she formed a barrier that protected the back four with Stephanie Malherbe in central midfield. But because the team was pushed back in most of their games, they defended just in front of the box with the back four further back.

Stephanie Malherbe 5 out of 10

Malherbe read the game well. She intercepted a number of passes because of that. But she quickly lost the ball with her wayward passes. That’s an area of her game that she needs to work on because she removes pressure from the team momentarily, only to quickly bring it back with stray passes that go to the opponents. She has an incredible work rate that saw her run all over the pitch without showing any tiredness.

Amanda Dlamini 3 out of 10

Four years ago, Dlamini was the team’s heartbeat after captaining the side to their first Olympics appearance. She wasn’t that effective in Brazil, not helped by Banyana Banyana defending a lot. That limited her effectiveness. But when the team went forward, they were let down by the final pass. It’s an area that Dlamini excels in but didn’t do it that much in Brazil. Coach Vera Pauw dropped her against China and brought her late in the goalless draw with Brazil.

Linda Motlhalo 6 out of 10

The 18-year-old is a future Banyana star. She sacrificed doing Matric this year just so she can be a part of the Olympics team. She will grow by having rubed shoulders with some of the best players in the world. She plays with the exuberance of youth that knows no fear or limits.

Refiloe Jane 6 out of 10

Jane covered more ground than any Banyana Banyana player, popping up everywhere on the field. She helped in central midfield just as much as she did at the back. She is a true team player.

Shiwe Nogwanya 2 out of 10

Nogwanya’s Olympics lasted for just 40 minutes. She was stretchered off after picking up an ankle injury against Sweden in the opening match without her making an impact.

Thembi Kgatlana 5 out of 10

The 20-year-old forward is among those who are for the future in the senior women’s national team. She went to the tournament as one of the four players on stand-by, getting her chance after Nogwanya’s injury. She made the most of that chance, using her speed and skills to beat defenders.

Sanah Mollo 4 out of 10

Mollo was used mainly as an impact player. She came off the bench in all three matches. She showed glimpses that she could have done a lot had she been given more game time to play as a supporting striker for an isolated Seoposenwe. She found space well but didn’t make the most of it with passes that rarely reached their intended target. When she drifted to the side, she drew a defender from the box to limit Seoposenwe’s “company”.

Leandra Smeda 3 out of 10

Smeda would have been disappointed when her idol, Brazilian legend, Marta started on the bench in their encounter while she was handed her first start for Banyana Banyana. Marta eventually came on in the second half much to the joy of the stadium. Smeda didn’t have much of an impact because she hardly went forward with the team pushed back. She briefly showed her skills in the few moments she crossed Brazil’s centreline.

Jermaine Seoposenwe 6 out of 10

It was only fitting that Seoposenwe led the nation’s attack in the Olympics. It’s her goal after all, against Equatorial Guinea, which took Banyana to Brazil and she finished the qualifiers as the joint-top goalscorer. She started off well, winning the Brazilian crowd with her skills against Sweden. But she was too isolated to be effective. The US-based forward knows how to position herself well so she can break with her speed. But as the tourney went on, her performance dropped mainly because she wasn’t getting enough of the ball.

Nompumelelo Nyandeni *

The veteran midfielder played just 18 minutes in the tournament, coming on for Matlou against Sweden when the side was chasing the match. In the brief moment she was on the field, she showed her class.

Did not play: Andile Dlamini, Bambani Mbane and Robyn Moodaly.

The Star

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