STRONG SQUAD: The African champions will be highly motivated when they play against the pedigreed Americans in their own backyard

By Sport Reporter

Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis has named a strong squad to face the U.S. women’s national team in two international friendly matches to be played in Cincinnati and Chicago this month.

Ellis has kept faith with the majority of the players who blazed a historic trail in the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand recently. The injured Refiloe Jane and Bambanani Mbane will miss the trip to the USA and they have been replaced by Lonathemba Mhlongo and Sinoxolo Cesane.   The former FIFA Women’s World Cup champions will host the Sasol-sponsored South African senior women’s team  in Cincinnati at TQL Stadium on September 21, and in Chicago at Soldier Field on September 24.

Ellis said the African champions will be highly motivated when they play against the pedigreed  Americans in their own backyard.

“This group of Banyana Banyana players is very grounded and they have shown that they can step up at any time. They have shown that they have the mentality, and I think you do not need any motivation when you are playing against the USA. They won’t need any motivation and this is another opportunity to test themselves,” Ellis said. The Banyana Banyana coach said the players have an opportunity to once again show the world what they can do after impressing in Australia and New Zealand. She said the Americans are still one of the best teams in the world and will be tough opposition for the African champions.

“Congratulations to all the players who received the nod from the technical team and were called up by the coach for this assignment,” said Nozipho Mbatha, Sasol Senior Manager: Group Brand and Sponsorship. “Being entrusted with such a responsibility to represent South Africa after Banyana Banyana’s sterling performance in Australia and New Zealand, will bolster each player’s commitment to continue on the trajectory of high performance, inspiring those that follow in their footsteps to dream big, knowing nothing is impossible that which they put their mind to. Banyana Banyana has proven to all of us that consistent handwork contributes towards success.  On behalf of Sasol, we wish them all the best.”

The two sides are coming from participating in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, with both registering contrasting fortunes during the tournament held from 20 July – 20 August 2023. The USA made their ninth appearance at the FIFA Women’s World Cup while the South Africans were making their second.

Banyana Banyana made history at the 2023 global tournament by becoming the first ever South African senior national team (men or women) to make it out of the group stages of a FIFA event. They qualified for the Round of 16 after beating Italy 3-2 in their final group match. The USA, on the other hand, arrived as defending champions but exited the tournament on penalties after a scoreless draw with Sweden in the Round of 16, the first time they have not made the semi-finals at the tournament. It was the earliest exit ever for the now third-ranked four-time World Cup champions.

Coach Ellis’ charges climbed up from 54 to 45 in the latest FIFA rankings, achieving their highest placing on the global list ever. The South African senior women’s team remained second on the continental list behind the top-ranked Super Falcons of Nigeria.

ALL HANDS ON DECK

TWO FRIENDLIES: Spirits are high as Bafana Bafana ready to engage neighbours Namibia and DR Congo

By Sport Reporter

All the players that have been called up by Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos for the international friendly matches against Namibia and DR Congo are in camp in Johannesburg following the arrival of Mihlali Mayambela and Lebo Mothiba.

Broos’ charges host Namibia on 9 September 2023 (kick off is at 15h00) and DR Congo on 12 September (17h00) at Orlando Stadium, and tickets to both matches are available at Ticketpro.

The South African senior men’s team coach had to make a few changes to the team he originally selected last month after injuries to certain payers forced his hand. But he does not see this as a set-back and views it as an opportunity to expand his pool, and evaluate other players.

“It’s okay that we have some injuries, but not ideal. We have depth and opportunity to give chances to those players who might add something new and different,” Broos said. The team has kept winning over the past few months and maintaining this trajectory will be the foremost thought in the minds of fan as the side heads to the premier tournament on the continent – the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast in January.

“Winning is good, but what I want to see is what we can do, how we play, what we can produce and so for me to assess and see performance matters the most. We have good competition in neighbours Namibia and DR Congo with different styles of play – they play well but how will we play and how we will approach the game is really what I want to see.”

Asked if the team is switched on from a mental point of view, the coach said: “Mentally there’s been a big shift from a year ago. The mentality has shifted, and players know what is expected here in the national team. There was a hunger to be at AFCON. The mental aspect is very important, I almost think that if we replay our previous games that our result will be different due to the strong mental aspect we now have.”

The spirit remains high within the camp with the newer players settling in well, displaying an appetite to prove they can play.he friendlies which will take place in Johannesburg against neighbours Namibia and DR Congo are in preparation for what awaits the national team in January when they compete in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), and Broos believes facing these teams will be invaluable.

Bafana Bafana are on a seven-game winning streak, having only drawn two games, but the coach is not hell-bent on winning only. “It is the performance that is important, it is the way we play and apply ourselves. Yes, we want to win, but winning in these two games is not everything.”

Due to injury, Pule Mmodi replaces Themba Zwane, Sphephelo Sithole comes in for Luke Le Roux and Teboho’s Mokoena’s replacement is Mlungisi Mbunjana.

Sports: 

Briefs

DJOKOVIC VS ALCARAZ FOR FINAL     

Carlos Alcaraz had his reign as US Open champion ended by Daniil Medvedev as the Russian set up another New York final against Novak Djokovic. The Spanish top seed lost 7-6 (7-3) 6-1 3-6 6-3 to Medvedev, ensuring there will be no repeat of the Wimbledon final between Alcaraz and Djokovic.

Djokovic swatted aside young American Ben Shelton to move within one more win of a record-equalling 24th major title. The Serb, 36, won 6-3 6-2 7-6 (7-4) to close in on Margaret Court’s tally.

Djokovic lost to Medvedev in the 2021 final and was not allowed to enter the United States for last year’s tournament because he was unvaccinated against Covid-19. However, he has now has reached a 10th US Open final on his return and will aim for a fourth triumph on Sunday.

NEYMAR BETTER THAN PELE

Neymar has surpassed Pele as Brazil’s male all-time top scorer with two goals in a 5-1 win over Bolivia. The forward, 31, who went into the World Cup qualifying match tied with legend Pele on 77 goals, missed a penalty before scoring twice in the second half on his 125th appearance.

“I never imagined reaching this record. I’m no better than Pele or any other player for the national team,” he said. Marta has scored a record 122 goals in 189 matches for Brazil’s women’s team. Pele, who died in December aged 82, scored 77 goals in 92 appearances between 1957 and 1971. He was widely regarded to be one of the greatest footballers to ever play the game.

MORE WOES FOR RUBIALES

A prosecutor has filed a complaint with Spain’s high court against suspended football federation president Luis Rubiales for sexual assault and coercion.

Rubiales kissed midfielder Jenni Hermoso on the lips after Spain’s Women’s World Cup final win, which she says was not consensual.

Hermoso filed a legal complaint over the kiss on Tuesday. It is now up to the court to present formal charges against the 46-year-old.

Hermoso’s complaint was one of sexual assault but prosecutor Marta Durantez Gil has also added an allegation of coercion when filing to the high court.

BAFANA BRINGS JOY

Bafana Bafana surprised the learners of Thaba Jabula Senior Secondary School in Soweto  with a visit this week, and the welcome was not at all what was expected from the national team.

“To be welcomed the way we were is out of this world! The cheering and screaming and yelling of our names, means that we are inspirational and if young men and women look up to us like this – then we have big shoes to fill,” said captain Ronwen Williams.

Al Ahly forward Percy Tau, who almost  went undercover with his new ‘chiskop’ hairstyle could not believe the applause he received from the crowd. “I wish I had something like this when I was younger, where the team visited my school,” he said.

“This means so much to me to see their reaction at us merely just being here and I hope this instills in the learners the need to learn, to be their best selves and to keep pushing on with their education.”

SABC TO SHOW 2023 RWC

On the back of Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture Zizi Kodwa’s urging the SABC and SuperSport to reach a deal where all South Africans can enjoy the 2023 Rugby World Cup, a deal has been reached, in principle. That deal will see the SABC being granted a sub-license to broadcast 16 of the games including the games the Springboks will be playing.

“This agreement will unfortunately exclude OVHD (eMedia) platform because of the restrictive conditions that MultiChoice is placing on the sub-licensing agreement for the Free-to-Air rights for the RWC 2023,” writes the national broadcaster.

Despite this agreement, the SABC isn’t pleased about the condition that it cannot carry the matches on Openview claiming that 3.2 million South African households won’t be able to view the Springboks in the World Cup.

“The SABC hopes that in the interest of nation building and social cohesion, MultiChoice will remove this restrictive condition to enable all South Africans to get behind the Boks,” the SABC added.