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Banyana buoyed by Olympic experience

6 August 2012

South Africa's women's football team, Banyana Banyana, have returned from the London Olympic Games, their confidence boosted after holding World Cup champions Japan to a goalless draw in their final group game.

The team, led by coach Joseph Mkhonza and captain Amanda Dlamini, was welcomed by Sport and Recreation Minister Fikile Mbalula and South African Football Association (Safa) president Kirsten Nematandani on Thursday.

"They met the best and were defeated, but we are still proud of them," said Mbalula.

"The future looks bright, though, for women's football in South Africa and we need to engage Safa on trying to get going a professional women's league in this country, because that is the only advantage the other countries have on us.

"Well done girls, and we are aware you could have done a lot better, but qualifying and being at the Games is victory in itself."

'Our girls stood their ground'

Nematandani said: "We were surely not disgraced. We should applaud the girls for their good showing. Playing against such established countries is no mean feat, but our girls stood their ground, even though they went down in two matches out of three.

"We are proud of you girls, and are confident that going forward we will grow even more."

Captain Amanda Dlamini reflected on the Olympic experience, saying: "This was an unforgettable and proud moment for me personally, as well as the whole team.

"Also it was an experience of a lifetime, and we learnt a lot as a team, and we are confident those lessons will stand us in good stead when we tackle the Caf (Confederation of African Football) African Women's Championship 2012 in Equatorial Guinea, starting at the end of October."

'Highlight'

"To hold World Cup champions Japan to a draw in our final match was the highlight of the Olympic Games campaign as we fancied our chances against them as we play a similar style to them and backed our pace against them," she added.

"Even though we started very slowly, we grew stronger as a team and we know next time we know what to expect. We lived our dream."

Mkhonza was also full of praise for his players, saying they did the country proud.

"I must say I have mixed emotions. The team played against the best and we came second best, but we did not disgrace ourselves. It was through our mistakes that we were beaten, but we go into the future confident that we gave our best and will be a force to be reckoned with.

"The last game we played was mainly for pride, but the girls showed their true potential. I am happy with the performance but not the results," he explained.

Support

"Special thanks must go to Sascoc (the South African Sports Confederation & Olympic Committee), Safa, the Department of Sport and Recreation and our team sponsor Sasol, for their support of our team.

"The South African public and the media have also shown great interest in our team and long may this continue."

During the Olympics, Banyana Banyana went down 4-1 to Sweden and 3-0 to Canada before holding Japan to a draw in their last match.

History

Striker Portia Modise made history when she became the first player to score for Banyana Banyana at the Olympic Games, striking with a superb 45 metre effort against Sweden.

"I cannot stand here and take all the glory. Gratitude should go to my teammates because I could not have done it without them. I am still excited over the goal, and I must agree it was a great goal. It's one I will remember for a very long time," said Modise.

SAinfo reporter