AWC 2014: Bayana Bayana captain promises hell against Black Queens

Banyana Banyana captain Janine van Wyk had a busy game at the back in their African Women’s Championship game against Cameroon.

Simphiwe Dludlu and Gloria Thato kept her busy because of their inability to deal with Cameroon’s counterattacks from the wings.

While the centre of the field was excellently marshalled, with Van Wyk and Noko Matlou well aided by the industrious Mamello Makhabane, who was woman of the match, their wing backs proved a problem.

The central defenders were constantly drawn out of position but the goal they conceded was not their fault, with goalkeeper Roxanne Barker spilling a regulation cross.

Banyana need to finish in the top three to qualify for next year’s World Cup in Canada, with Van Wyk saying their dream has not died yet, despite Sunday’s 1-0 loss to Cameroon.

Their toughest group game will be against Ghana at the Independence Stadium on Wednesday evening.

A tough test awaits her team with the losers almost definitely set to exit the tournament. Massive improvement is needed in the finishing department, after they let Cameroon off the hook with plenty of unconverted chances.

“Obviously it was a disappointing result for us,” Van Wyk said, though it was not a reason for the players to hang their heads.

“We have two games left and I know that will make us stronger. We have to win our next two games and I know we have the competitiveness,” she said.

“If we keep our heads down and forget about this game, analyse and see where we went wrong … I think we played extremely well, except for that one little mistake, a lack of concentration. We are a strong team and we have a lot of experience to lift ourselves up.”

Algeria’s shock 1-0 win over Ghana put SA’s loss into perspective in terms of the work that needs to be done by Vera Pauw’s charges.

Algeria weathered a storm from Ghana and when an opportunity to strike came for the North Africans, they took it gleefully and threw the group wide open.

Van Wyk said the team would rise to Ghana’s challenge.

“We are not a team that gives up very easily and we still have two chances to make it through to the World Cup. However, we need to be strong and focus … as they will be tough opponents.”