The
South African Senior Women’s National Team (Banyana Banyana) has finished in
11th place at the Cyprus Cup.
Banyana
Banyana clinched the spot following their 5-4 penalty shootout victory over
Northern Ireland on Wednesday, 13 March 2013 at the Tascos Markos Stadium in
Paralimini.
After
going down 2-0 to Korea, narrowly losing 1-0 to Ireland, the Sasol-sponsored
team defeated Northern Ireland 2-1 to complete the group stages and set up a
clash against the same opponents, Northern Ireland, to battle for the 11th and
12th playoff spots. Banyana Banyana won the shootout thanks to a great penalty
save by goal minder Andile Dlamini.
Ahead
of the trip to Cyprus, South Africa’s head coach Joseph Mkhonza spoke of
creating a larger pool of players and giving untested players from the
Sasol League a chance to prove their
worth at national team level.
Two
Banyana Banyana recruits Shiwe Nogwanya and Zanele Chiya are some of those who
have learnt the rigours of international football.
The
22-year-old Chiya is one of the five new players called up to the national
set-up for the first time and has remained positive despite not featuring in
the tournament.
“I’m
thrilled just to have been part of Banyana Banyana and the past three weeks
have all been about learning for me,” said Chiya, a defender from the TUT
Ladies team.
“I’ve
learned how to move the ball quickly, the importance of timing when in
possession and quick recovery after losing the ball. But most critically, I
found that the bonding with teammates off-the-field makes the chemistry so
effortless to work with during match day because of the personal and playing
style understanding,” she added.
Nogwanya,
one of the few success stories of the tournament for the Sasol-sponsored side,
made her debut during the match against Northern Ireland on Monday (11 March)
and believes she and her teammates learnt a lot during the trip.
“Things
were tough out here and we had to chase most of the games after slow starts and
conceding early in the match but moving forward, emphasis in our play must be
to focus at all times,” explained Nogwanya.
She
came close to scoring on two occasions against Northern Ireland when first, she
could not connect with the ball from a low cross, and then had her shot
smothered by the Irish goalkeeper.
The
forceful 19-year old striker, who plies her trade with Bloemfontein Celtic in
the Sasol League added: “I found things very different from club level to the
international stage - the tactics, ball work at training and moving into space
at specific times during matches was a key learning area for me but I believe
through hard work I will improve and be recalled for future national team
camps.”
Other
success stories to have emanated from the African silver medallists during
their tour of Cyprus must be that of the young, fine talents Robyn Moodaly
(midfielder) and Jermaine Seoposenwe (forward) while vice-captain Refiloe Jane
played like the seasoned campaigner that she is, consistently producing a
superb display in central midfield often linking well with Mary Ntsweng and the
forwards.
The
winner of the 2013 Cyprus Cup was to be decided after the England and Canada
final which took place late on Wednesday in Nicosia, Cyprus.
