Banyana Banyana goalkeeper Andile Dlamini says their embarrassing 7-2 loss against Norway in their last outing was a wake-up call for the team ahead of the opening match of their maiden FIFA Women’s World Cup against Spain in France on Saturday (kick-off 6pm).
The 26-year-old insists they are not about to drop their heads nor loose confidence ahead of their date with destiny in just two days time.
The South African anthem will be sung for the first time at a Women’s World Cup at Stade Oceane Stadium. Five days later Banyana will take on China in Paris and then face Germany in Montpellier on June 17.
And even though the odds are stacked heavily against them, Dlamini promises the team will make the nation proud against Spain.
Despite picking the ball from her net seven times in a single game on Sunday, Dlamini has set herself a tough challenge at the global showpiece. Her goals are just that, goals – well to not concede them that is.
Though they did show better organisation‚ spirit and potency in front of goal in the second half against the Norwegians, Dlamini says that has given them a morale boost as they battle with the heavyweights of Group B.
Ranked 48th, Banyana are the lowest-ranked side in their pool. Germany are ranked second behind world champions USA while China are 16th, three places behind Spain. Report by Tumi Gabonamong
