“Our mentality is perfectly strong ahead of this important match because we want to qualify for the Wafcon as we are the defending champions.”
That is according to Banyana Banyana goalkeeper Andile Dlamini ahead of their 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) first leg qualifier match against Burkina Faso.
Burkina Faso will host Banyana at the Stade Charles Konan Banny in Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast, on Thursday evening. Kick-off is at 6pm.
Dlamini played in Ivory Coast for the duration of the CAF Champions League with Mamelodi Sundowns, who won the competition for the second time. But she says the Wafcon qualifiers will be a different ball game altogether.
The 31-year-old also walked away with the goalkeeper of the tournament accolades.
“Ivory Coast is a country that I am familiar with since we (Sundowns Ladies) played the CAF Champions League final here,” Dlamini said.
“But this will be a different ball game altogether since this is national team duty.
“Winning this game will give us an upper hand going into the second leg at [next week Monday]. We need to avoid pressure as much as we can.
“So, it is very important that we don’t undermine our opponents and just do our best on the day.”
Europe-based players Linda Motlhalo, Noko Matlou and Faith Nokuthula joined the rest of the team on Monday night.
Seoposenwe to join team for second leg
Mexico-based star Jermaine Seoposenwe of Club Monterrey will only join the team for the second leg on Monday.
Speaking about the readiness of the team, SA coach Desiree Ellis said the Banyana are revved up for the match.
“I was really happy with the [training] session that we had. The enthusiasm and willingness to do well in this match is there from the players,” she said.
