admintomorrow’s International Challenge Cup match at Rufaro.
The Unity Day clash is free of charge for the fans who are expected to fill Rufaro to capacity.
Interestingly, South African coach Joseph Mkhonza’s first assignment as Banyana gaffer was in last year’s Unity Cup match at Rufaro.
And a year later, with a place at next year’s prestigious London Summer Games firmly secured, Mkhonza returns to where it all started.
It was at Rufaro where Mkhonza started his romance with Banyana as their head coach and he returns with a team that has won a lot, in the past year, and are set to be rewarded by Caf as the Women’s African Team
of the Year.
And, with London 2012 Olympic Games preparations set to start in Harare tomorrow for Banyana, the South Africans mean serious business and have brought a full strength squad laced with foreign-based stars.
They have brought Russia-based midfielder, Nompumelelo Nyandeni, who is also in the running for the Caf African Women Footballer of the Year.
The winner is set to be unveiled at the Caf Awards Gala, scheduled for tomorrow, at the Banquet Hall, State House, in Accra.
United States-based goalkeeper, Barker Roxanne, who can also play as an in-field player and was recently voted the second best women’s soccer footballer in America, has also made the short trip to Harare in Banyana colours. It’s only her second national team assignment due to college commitments.
Fellow United States-based midfielder, Kylie Ann Louw, completes the foreign contingent, which will blend with the local talent that includes former Caf Footballer of the Year, Noko Matlou, steely defender Janine
Van Wyk and inspirational captain Amanda Dlamini.
And the coach has also thrown into the fray some emerging players who were part of the developmental squad that humbled Zimbabwe 4-1 at the All-Africa Games in Maputo.
However, South Africa are not taking Zimbabwe lightly and Mkhonza believes it will not be a stroll in the park.
“For me, Zimbabwe is one of the toughest and strongest teams in the region.
“Our games have always been tough, remember Cosafa?
“And I know they are not going to lie down. We are very selective when it comes to choosing our opponents and we were not going to come here if we didn’t know what to expect.
“Like I have said before that we will select the best from Africa and those teams that have qualified for the Olympics to engage in friendly matches,” said Mkhonza.
There has been stiff competition for jerseys in the Banyana squad, which have been in camp for the past three weeks, with 30 players fighting it out to be in the final 18.
And the coach conceded it was really tough to come up with the best squad.
“We had to drop some players. All the players have to be at their best as we prepare, we are not only going to represent ourselves but the whole of Africa.
“For me past results don’t count. This is a new game and a fresh challenge and we are excited to be here.
“There have always this rivalry between us and Zimbabwe. And in our region it has always been us and Zimbabwe as the best teams,” said Mkhonza.
Tomorrow marks exactly a year in office for the soft spoken mentor and Mkhonza says the Unity Cup will forever have a special place in heart.
“My first assignment as a coach was on this day in this match (Challenge Cup), so for me Unity Day means a lot and I hope one day I will just come to celebrate this day,” said Mkhonza.
South Africa will also be playing in the African Women Championships qualifiers but have been handed a bye in the preliminary round.
And the Banyana camp says they have embraced the qualifiers to further prepare for the London Games.
South Africa held their first training session in the afternoon yesterday and will have a feel of the match venue today.
Banyana Banyana Squad
Thokozile Mndaweni, Roxanne Barker ,Simphiwe Masina , Amanda Sister, Janine Van Wyk, Nothando Vilakazi,Gabisile Hlumbane, Zamandosi Cele, Mary Ntsweng, Nompumelelo Nyandeni, Nomathemba Ntsibande, Memory Makhanya, Kylie Ann Louw, Amanda Dlamini, Noko Matlou,Leandra Smeda, Sanah Mollo,Andisiwe Mgcoyi.
Online Reporter