BY Obakeng Maje

The South African Senior Women’s National Team (Banyana Banyana) will face Nigeria in an international friendly match that will be part of a double-header with Bafana Bafana.

Banyana Banyana will take on their long-time rivals on Sunday, 3 June 2012 at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace in Phokeng near Rustenburg with a 19h00 kickoff – just after Bafana Bafana have played Ethiopia in a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier at the same venue. Kickoff for the first match is 15h00.

The Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana squad returned home on Sunday (27 May) from Zambia where they defeated the host nation by four goals to one (4-1) in an African Women’s Championship qualifier played on Saturday (26 May).

The South Africans are scheduled to travel to Rustenburg on Tuesday (29 May) to set up camp ahead of the clash with Nigeria.

Head coach of the Banyana Banyana squad, Joseph Mkhonza will be looking to gauge the strength of his charges against the competitive West Africans as part of the plan to prepare efficiently for the 2012 London Olympics games in July.

Having won two back to back matches – against Tanzania (5-2) and Zambia (4-1) – the South Africans’ confidence has sky-rocketed and they are eagerly awaiting the clash against Nigeria.

“We have come a long way with the matches we’ve played so far but I still believe we need stronger opposition as a build-up to the Olympics. The Nigerians are the African champions so there are still lessons to be learnt. I would like to see the girls play the way they did in Cyprus. I was highly impressed and would like to see a similar style of play when we play this weekend,” said Mkhonza 

Banyana Banyana will be rejoined by six players – Jermaine Seoposenwe, Rachael Sebati, Andile Dlamini, Refiloe Jane, Leah Sethunya and Nomvula Kgoale – who did not accompany the 18 that travelled to Zambia.

“I have not selected the final squad for the Olympics as yet so I will always call up players with the best playing potential as a means of selecting a final good squad of eighteen players as we near the Olympics. The support we receive from SAFA and Sasol has helped us a great deal with the training camps we’ve held thus far as we position ourselves to compete against the world’s best opposition in London,” concluded Mkhonza.