New kids at the Olympic blocks ready for kickoff (SABC)
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The South African women's senior national team may be the new kids on the block in terms of Olympic Games experience, but statistics will be far from their minds in their opening match in Coventry today.
Banyana Banyana play Sweden tonight in their Group F Fixture, kick off is at 8pm local time.
While Banyana are fourth in Confederation of African (CAF) football rankings, the Swedes are ranked second in Europe. Sweden beat France 2-1 in the third/fourth place play-off at the 2011 World Cup in Germany last year and it is these two nations that will represent Europe at the Olympics over the next few weeks.
Banyana Banyana's head coach Joseph Mkhonza described the mood in the camp as “nervous but excited”. "The team can't wait for the Olympic Games action to begin," Mkhonza said.
Banyana have a fully fit team for debut match against Sweden
We have had a look at the match venue and have a fully fit team of 18 players to choose from for our first match against Sweden."
"We have known since we beat Ethiopia in September last year that we were going to play at the Olympics, so I don't believe the moment will be too big for our players," said Mkhonza.
Following the match against Sweden, Banyana play Canada, in their next group match at the same venue on Saturday.
They meet FIFA World Cup women's champions Japan in Cardiff their final group fixture on Tuesday, 3.45 pm.
The 12 teams have been drawn in three groups of four teams each.
The top two sides from each group and the best two third-placed teams, qualify for the last-eight, knockout stage of the competition.
