Banyana Banyana wary of ‘hostile’ Kenyan reception
South Africa’s national women team is anticipating a hostile reception from Kenya ahead of a Olympic qualifier second leg match against Harambee Starlets slated for the Jomo Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos County this weekend.
The Banyana Banyana, who carry a solitary goal lead into the return leg against the Harambee Starlets, are expected in Nairobi on Thursday ahead of Sunday’s encounter.
Banyana defender Lebogang Ramalepe, however expects a far from hospitable reception from Kenya after the Starlets’ arrival in South Africa was delayed by a hitch in processing of visas in the build up to the first leg encounter a fortnight ago.
HOSTILE WELCOME
Ramalepe told South Africa’s Daily Sun: “It’s going to be difficult. They will be more prepared than the first leg. We must be ready for a hostile welcome but we must not be pressured by that. We need to give our best on the field.”
At the same time, Starlets coach David Ouma has said he is confident of securing an aggregate win that will propel the team to the next round of the qualifiers.
“We are focused and determined to cancel the one-goal deficit. We are studying the clips of our first leg match so as to know which areas need improvement,” Ouma said.
Kenya and South Africa are fighting to proceed to the last round of this qualifying phase, for a chance to book one of the two berths available to the continent at the Rio Olympic Games.