Banyana Banyana wrap up Olympic preparations
The senior national women’s football side, Banyana Banyana, believe a good showing in their international friendly match against New Zealand on Thursday here in Rio de Janeiro will spur them on for their Rio Olympics opening match against Sweden.
The clash against New Zealand is the final warm-up encounter for both teams ahead of the start of the world’s biggest spectacle.
Banyana Banyana kick off the Games with a clash against Sweden next Wednesday.
Coach Vera Pauw’s charges have already had two training sessions since their arrival in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday.
Said top striker Jermaine Seoposenwe, who is attending her first Games: "It feels good to be here finally, even though it still feels like it is taking forever for the Games to start, but it is good to finally be in the Olympic Village.
"We also got some training under our belt and we are trying to get ready for our friendly, hopefully we can get a good result out of that ‘I believe we need that, and not just a good performance but a win because even though we played well against teams like the USA and The Netherlands, losses are not what we wanted.
"Getting a win in that match would be good for the team as a whole and it will increase the confidence of trying to get goals, which is what we have lacked in. And so it would be good if we could get a positive result and take it to the tournament."
The rugby sevens team arrived in Rio today after a long trip from Cape Town. The gymnastics and rowing teams will be joining Team SA at the Olympic Village today (Thursday).
