Banyana off on Olympic tune-up

ELANDSFONTEIN, SOUTH AFRICA - FEBRUARY 07, Banyana Banyana players during the Banyana Banyana media open day from School of Excellence on February 07, 2012 in Elandsfontein, South Africa Photo by Lefty Shivambu / Gallo Images

ELANDSFONTEIN, SOUTH AFRICA - FEBRUARY 07, Banyana Banyana players during the Banyana Banyana media open day from School of Excellence on February 07, 2012 in Elandsfontein, South Africa Photo by Lefty Shivambu / Gallo Images

Published Jul 5, 2012

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Johannesburg – Banyana Banyana leave for a taining camp in Hennef, Germany, on Friday to complete the final preparations ahead of their Olympic debut at the London Games.

The SA Football Association (Safa) said on Thursday that 21 players would make up the travelling squad, with Russia-based Nompumelelo Nyandeni joining her teammates in Germany on Saturday.

Banyana will play two international friendly matches against Cameroon, in Lille, and Olympic hosts Great Britain, in Birmingham, during their European tour.

Cameroon will be the only other African country representing the continent at the Olympic Games.

They have been drawn in Group E along with Great Britain, New Zealand, and Brazil.

South Africa have been drawn in Group F alongside Japan, Canada and Sweden.

“This is the last chance to work on any of our shortcomings,” said Banyana coach Joseph Mkhonza.

“We have to finalise our strategy for the Olympics and build on what we've been working on since our qualification.

“The matches will help us gauge how far we have come and give us a state of our readiness.

“This is also the opportunity to make sure the players understand the importance of competing on the Olympic stage.” – Sapa

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