Bayana Bayana of South Africa Captain, Janine van Wyk says a win against perennial rivals, Nigeria in their opening game at the 2018 Africa Women Cup of Nations can help propel the team to a positive outing at the tournament, Completesportsnigeria.com reports.
The tournament will run from November 17 to January 1st.
The top three teams will qualify for the World Cup to be held in June 2019 in France.
The South Africans will face the defending champions Nigeria in their opening Group B fixture on Sunday, November 18, at the Cape Coast Stadium.
Desiree Ellis’ charges have been slow starters in previous competitions but Van Wyk has declared that it is important they work to correct that this time around.
“First game is really crucial for us, it is a game between rivals, but I think in the past we have been slow starters in tournaments and we need to change that, and go with the perspective of attacking from the onset,” Van Wyk told the South Africa Football Association official website.
“We just need to go out there and not show any fear, most of us here in the squad are highly experienced and we have played them numerous times, we must just go for it.”
Aside Nigeria, Bayana Bayana will also face the Shepolopolo of Zambia and Harambee Starlets of Kenya in Group B and Van Wyk described the draw as interesting.
“It is a very interesting draw for us, if we were in either group it would be considered as a tough group. Women’s football in Africa is developing enormously, there are no more easy teams that we will be facing now,” she added.
“I think it is a tough group we are in, and we are looking forward to competing in the tournament.
“These are all great opponents we have played and faced before, they never give us an easy run so we need to prepare well for every team because they are all different.”