Desiree Ellis reveals focus area for week-long Banyana camp

Banyana Banyana’s local-based players have reported to a week-long pre-FIFA World Cup camp in Johannesburg and head coach Desiree Ellis has revealed the focus area.

From the moment Banyana qualified for the 2023 FIFA World Cup, the mandate was to gear up for the tough competition that awaited them.

They played two international friendly matches against Australia and Brazil last year. However, the results were not in Banyana’s favour, losing 3-0 and 5-0 against Brazil. They went on to lose 4-1 to Australia.

Banyana were able to bounce back in the Turkish Cup, winning 3-0 against Uzbekistan and getting a 1-1 stalemate against Slovenia, as they continued their World Cup preparations.

However, they fell into yet another defeat against Serbia in April due to their own failure to defend set-pieces.

BANYANA’S WEEK LONG CAMP

Seeing there won’t be any international games played until the World Cup, Ellis and her technical team have set out a camp for local-based players for a week.

The Banyana head coach told SAFA media that this week will be used to work on set pieces and the team’s defensive abilities.

ELLIS ON THE PURPOSE OF THE CAMP

“The last camp we had, when we had that extra week, it really, really helped us. It helped us in terms of getting our defensive structure better.

“Obviously, this is another opportunity now to work on maybe our set pieces as well because this is sometimes a challenge for us, you know.

“A week might not seem a lot, but it’s a lot in terms of what we can achieve, considering how we grew in the last camp a week before the FIFA date,” concluded Ellis.

SQUAD NAMED FOR THE PRE-WORLD CUP CAMP

Goalkeepers
Andile Dlamini (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Kaylin Swart (JVW FC)

Regirl Ngobeni (UWC FC)
Katlego Moletsane (Royal AM FC)

Defenders
Asanda Hadebe (Sunflower FC)
Karabo Dhlamini (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Fikile Magama (UWC FC)
Cimone Sauls (JVW FC)
Lebohang Ramalepe (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Tiisetso Makhubela (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Lonathemba Mhlongo (UWC FC)
Bambanani Mbane (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Bongeka Gamede (UWC FC)

Midfielders
Thubelihle Shamase (UJ FC)
Thalea Smidt (Tuks FC)
Nomfundo Buthelezi (Durban Ladies)
Sibulele Holweni (UWC FC)
Nomvula Kgoale (TS Galaxy FC)
Robyn Moodaly (JVW FC)
Amogelang Motau (UWC FC)

Forwards
Nicole Michael (TS Galaxy FC)
Gabriela Salgado (JVW FC)
Sphumelele Shamase (UJ FC)
Melinda Kgadiete (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Nthabiseng Majiya (Richmond Ladies FC)
Lelona Daweti (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Wendy Shongwe (Tuks FC)

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