Everyone wants to beat Banyana Banyana - Kaylin Swart

The South African senior women’s team were in DR Congo last week for the first leg of what is a long route to reach Paris 2024 next year and managed a crucial away goal in the 1-1 draw.

Coach Desiree Ellis’ work was made harder by the artificial pitch, but Swart in goal says they have to play through all the obstacles.

"I don't think we can make excuses with that. We just have to play our best all the time because everyone wants to beat us, whether we play in Europe, whether we play in America and obviously in Africa we are a huge target but ya it's such a huge target. We are just happy to be home now and hopefully, we can get a great result," Swart said.

The second leg will be played at Orlando Stadium on Monday afternoon, a game televised on SABC Sport and one Swart believes gives Banyana the advantage as the home side in front of their supporters.

"It's massive, I think home advantage is a big deal for us. We definitely felt like the away team in Africa, especially in Congo. They had some good support but I think just them having the advantage of playing on turf but ya I think it's a massive boost for us. I really hope the nation comes out in numbers to support us because with the support obviously, we feel like we have a good advantage," he explained.

South Africa missed out on the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and having been to two successive World Cup tournaments and winning the WAFCON last year, Swart wants them to return to the multi-coded event.

"2016 in Rio is such a long time ago and I don't think we were at our best in 2016 but missing out on the last Olympics was a huge for us as a team, as players, as a nation. I really hope that we can go forward in these qualifiers because that's one thing that we want is the Olympics and to represent South Africa on another big stage."