Matlou ready to shine for Banyana

Banyana Banyana’s Noko Matlou is ready to help her teammates beat Botswana in their second-leg All-Afica Games qualifier.

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Banyana Banyana goalscoring star Noko Matlou will throw the statistics book out the window and help her teammates beat Botswana in their second-leg All-Afica Games qualifier in Gaborone on Sunday.

Having netted 41 goals in 55 national appearances, the 25-year-old goal-getter believes that her combination with fellow strikers in team captain Amanda Dlamini and Martha Mokoma could pose problems for the hosts.

If Banyana wins, they will qualify for the Games due to be staged in Mozambique in September.

“Statistics are great, but at the end of the day it’s more important to focus on laying on the perfect pass to create a goal than it is to worry about who scores it,” said Matlou.

“We are expecting Botswana to play a defensive game to try and hang on to the 1-0 lead over us from their first leg win in Polokwane last month.”

Banyana were without regulars in goalkeeper Thoko Mndaweni, defenders Janine van Wyk and Yola Jafta, midfielder Mamello Makhabane because of injury in that match.

Also back in the squad is teenage striker Jermaine Seopesenwe, who has taken time away from her matric schoolwork to help her national teammates.

Seopesenwe and 16-year-old midfielder Robyn Moodaly were playing for the national Under-17 side eight months ago, and are becoming accustomed to senior level football.

“If the match goes to penalties to decide the qualifying team I will put up my hand to take the first spot kick for South Africa like I did when we beat Tunisia 6-5 in an Olympic qualifier last month,” Matlou said.

“Our girls have confidence in their spot kicks and we believe in our keeper Mndaweni who saved one spot kick in Tunis.”

The side's caretaker coach Joseph Mkhonza is likely to opt for Simphiwe Masina, Amanda Sister, Van Wyk and Gabisile Hlumbane in his defensive four.

In midfield the race for places is on between Nomathemba Nsibande, Moodaly, Makhabane, Mary Ntsweng, with central defender Jafta also able to play a holding midfield role if needed.

The match kicks off at 3pm. – Sapa

Source: http://www.iol.co.za/matlou-ready-to-shine-for-banyana-1.1068749

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