Two players will not travel to Congo as Banyana are only allowed 20 players for the tournament.
Pauw was not able to get some of the players she wanted – all the overseas-based players have been left out because the tournament falls outside the FIFA Calendar.
Jermaine Seoposenwe, Robyn Moodaly, Kelso Peskin, Kaylin Swart were not released by their clubs as well as Thembi Kgatlana. Goalkeeper Roxanne Barker from Iceland is also a doubtful starter for the first two matches.
“Unfortunately it is the way it is. As long as these matches or tournaments do not fall under the FIFA Calendar dates we will always have these challenges. But I have confidence in the players that we have in the team. I believe we will do well,” said Pauw.
Banyana have been draw in Group B alongside Cameroon, Ghana and Egypt while hosts Congo are in Group A with Nigeria, Tanzania and Ivory Coast.
The South Africans open their encounter against Cameroon on September 7 at the Stade de l’unite 3.
“The challenge is that the matches come in thick and fast, more so should we proceed to the semi-finals, with not much time to rest – so we will be forced to make as many changes as possible to always have fresh legs,” added Pauw.
“But the exciting thing is that this tournament could not have come at a better time as it is ideal preparations for the 2016 Rio Olympic qualifier against Equatorial Guinea in October. We could not have asked for better preparations. I have always been saying that with the calibre of opposition at the All Africa Games – Cameroon, Ghana and Egypt – we will no doubt be better prepared for the Olympic qualifiers. On that score I am very happy.”
“Unfortunately it is the way it is. As long as these matches or tournaments do not fall under the FIFA Calendar dates we will always have these challenges. But I have confidence in the players that we have in the team. I believe we will do well,” said Pauw.
Banyana have been draw in Group B alongside Cameroon, Ghana and Egypt while hosts Congo are in Group A with Nigeria, Tanzania and Ivory Coast.
The South Africans open their encounter against Cameroon on September 7 at the Stade de l’unite 3.
“The challenge is that the matches come in thick and fast, more so should we proceed to the semi-finals, with not much time to rest – so we will be forced to make as many changes as possible to always have fresh legs,” added Pauw.
“But the exciting thing is that this tournament could not have come at a better time as it is ideal preparations for the 2016 Rio Olympic qualifier against Equatorial Guinea in October. We could not have asked for better preparations. I have always been saying that with the calibre of opposition at the All Africa Games – Cameroon, Ghana and Egypt – we will no doubt be better prepared for the Olympic qualifiers. On that score I am very happy.”
Source: African News Agency (ANA)
