Banyana Banyana striker Mpumelelo Nyandeni has thanked coach Vera Pauw for giving her the chance to return to the team after such a long absence.
Nyandeni, who is on the books of Russian side Rossiyinka FC, is the only overseas-based player selected for their International Friendly match against Botswana at 3pm on Saturday.
Banyana Banyana will hold their final training session at the Isak Steyl Stadium, University of Technology in Vanderbijl Park – the match venue for their clash against neighbours Botswana.
Nyandeni has been out of action for a lengthy period due to a knee injury, but is more than happy to be back again.
“I want to thank the coach (Vera Pauw) for giving me the chance to return to the team after such a long absence. So I feel very happy that I am in the set-up again, but I am not hundred percent fit as I am still carrying a knee injury, but just being a part of this group really makes me feel great,” she said.
Nyandeni’s last game for Banyana was during the 2012 Olympics Games in London, almost two years back.
“I got the injury last year at my club when they kicked me behind the knee. It was a terrible injury and very painful which made walking difficult.
“But now I am back at training which shows a lot of progress. I am just glad I am back where I belong, on the field. I stayed out of the game for four months without training due to this injury.”
The big focus on the horizon for Banyana is the 2014 African Women’s Championship to be held in Namibia from 11-25 October.
The top three at the tournament will qualify for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Canada.
