Amanda Dlamini - Banyana will have to fight a psychological battle to bounce back

She told SABC Sport, in response to Banyana Banyana heading to the second leg of the CAF Women’s Olympic qualifier - from their 1- 0 defeat to the Super Falcons last Friday, played at MKO Abiola Stadium.

Dlamini says it is likely to be a psychological battle knowing that the Super Falcons have an upper hand, as the two African giants gear up to lock horns for the second leg at Loftus Versfeld in Tshwane on Tuesday. 

"I think it's going to be a really tough one for Banyana Banyana to try and bounce back simply because I think it becomes much more of a psychological game, knowing that maybe Nigeria have an upper hand or the advantage,” Dlamini said.

“But I think playing at home as well might also come to Banyana Banyana's advantage. If it is that there's a good turnout we might be able to pull this one off. Even though I think the coach might want to make a few changes, I think our starting 11 was quite a decent one maybe the approach would be a little bit different but I think much more than anything, I think it becomes much more of a psychological battle."

The 35-year-old who has experienced the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) tournaments twice as a player, believes the current crop of Banyana Banyana players have shown great character when it comes to dominating and winning games against 11 times WAFCON winners, Nigeria.

"It wasn't a huge score margin and it just simple says that Banyana Banyana have indeed closed the gap between the score lines of previous years against Nigeria but also they're African champs, they have much more of the bad experience and I think the days in between will give them a good turnaround time to try and salvage something. I'm very positive of the fact that we can still salvage something and qualify for the Olympic Games," she added.

Banyana missed out on the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Dlamini says an Olympic qualifier for Banyana will be a confidence booster for players who have never played at the Games before and also stated that it will play a big role in elevating the women’s game in South Africa.

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"Should Banyana qualify for the Olympic Games, I think it would be really big considering their performance at the World Cup and at the back of that winning the WAFCON. I think it's always just important for Banyana to qualify for the bigger world stage tournaments after missing out in the previous Olympic Games, I think this one will be really good.

“Also, just for players who are coming into the team, the likes of Majiya [Nthabiseng], Gamede [Bongeka], they've never been to the Olympic Games if my memory serves me right so there's a new crop of players that still need experience of the Olympic Games.

“I think the Hollywoodbets Super League as well, there are players who are quite ambitious to be part of Banyana so them qualifying for the Olympic Games does really push the bar really higher and our local game."