The South African women’s soccer team, Banyana Banyana, want to improve on their sixth place finish at the 2018 Cyprus Women’s Cup. The annual tournament is an invitational 12-nation event and gets under way on Wednesday.
Banyana are also using the event as preparation for the FIFA Women’s World Cup. The Women’s World Cup kicks off in France on 7 June.
Hard at work! @Banyana_Banyana in Cyprus @SAFA_net @SasolLeague @SasolSA @BafanaBafana @CyprusCup pic.twitter.com/0GPoH25rO2
— Banyana_Banyana (@Banyana_Banyana) February 25, 2019
It’s chilly and windy in Cyprus but work continues for @Banyana_Banyana as they prepare for the Cyprus Women’s Cup @SAFA_net @SasolLeague @SasolSA #limitless @BafanaBafana @CyprusCup pic.twitter.com/fXmVHUqMTI
— Banyana_Banyana (@Banyana_Banyana) February 25, 2019
Banyana will make their 7th appearance at the tournament. They have been drawn in Group A and will face Finland, the Czech Republic and North Korea in the group stages.
The South Africans finished in sixth place in 2018. They believe they will improve on 2018’s performance ahead of the World Cup.
Refiloe Jane, Banyana vice-captain, believes that they have what it takes to win the cup.
“Looking at the previous editions we’ve participated in, we’ve got what it takes to win it. Everyone in the team would love to win it. This is a chance for us to do so. Looking at the way we’ve been playing these last few months, our confidence is high. Everyone wants to do well for themselves, for the team and the nation.”
The tournament also provides a golden opportunity to test combinations and players. It forms a significant part of Banyana’s preparations for the World Cup.
Banyana forward Jermaine Seoposenwe says that this is an opportunity to see their weaknesses and strengths.
“People are gelling more, rotating the team, trying to see the depth of the team and understanding that aspect of it is good; especially for the coach, especially going into a tournament like this. There’s the opportunity to experiment and see our weaknesses compared to our strengths.”
Making their first appearance for @Banyana_Banyana at this year’s @cypruswomenscup, it’s #SasolLeague’s Karabo Dhlamini, Victoria Muroa and Molatelo Sebata! #Limitless pic.twitter.com/bVJupOiLrL
— Official SasolLeague (@SasolLeague) February 26, 2019
The South Africans will face Finland in their opening match on Wednesday. The clash kicks off at 13:00.
