Kaylin Swarts says it is up to the senior Banyana Banyana players to pick up the pieces following the disappointment of missing out on the 2024 Paris Olympics Games after succumbing to rivals Nigeria at the final hurdle.
Swart is one of the senior players in Desiree Ellis’ squad that assembled to face Senegal in back-to-back international friendlies.
The 29-year-old has taken it upon herself, alongside veterans such as Lebohang Ramalepe and Jermaine Seoposenwe to help reconstruct Banyana and give a helping hand to budding newcomers within the team.
“The experience within the squad is massive. We have tried to put our hands around the youngsters to try to show them the roles and what it is to be in the national team.
“Our presence alone just gives them that comfort that they are able to express themselves and be who they are,” said Swart.
“The way we have grown as individuals as senior players now, we try to help the youngsters to really get into and make them feel comfortable to be with us and express themselves.
“Our leadership plays a big role because we are that bridge between the coaches and the players.
“What we bring is a lot of experience and I just hope that they can learn as much as they can and take the team forward,” Swart added.
Looking ahead
While the pain of missing out on the flight to Paris and the uncertainty of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, which CAF have not declared whether it will still go ahead in Morocco as scheduled.
The continental spectacle runs the risk of being cancelled this year as there is no available international break to accommodate the competition.
This means Banyana will have to play friendlies for the rest of the year to keep the engine revved up. Swart, meanwhile, believes that the foundation is already laid for Ellis to build upon.
“We work really hard on the defence and the five of us have a great relationship among us. It also helps that there is chemistry off the field because we know what the one does and what the other one can’t do.
“We do complement each other, and I think that is really our strength as a backline. We work tirelessly as a defensive unit, and we make sure that we can defend. When chips are down we try to make sure that we can help the team going forward.
“For the future, we have what it takes to be a solid unit. We have such good individuals and we will just grow as time goes on. I am just excited to see what the future holds.
“The experience that we have in the defence just gives the offensive side of the game a lot of confidence to go forward because they do say defence wins championships so I think that is something that we take pride in and the coach knows what it is that we can produce,” Swart added.
On facing Senegal again
Banyana played Senegal on 1 June and just when they thought victory was certain after Nthabiseng Majiya’s 68th minute goal, Mbayang Saw broke South Africa’s hearts with a stoppage-time strike to level matters via a penalty.
Swart has pointed fingers at the match officials, suggesting that the spot-kick was not the correct call.
“Sometimes referees’ decisions are so cruel but despite that, we really showed what we are made of. It is hard because we tried to do the right things but I do think that the changes that the coach has made impacted the game.
“The way we scored was a brilliant team goal, those are the things that we work on in training and it was really good to see that happening in the field. It was tough but how we dealt with it was huge.”
Be that as it may, South Africa’s shot-stopper has all the confidence when it comes to approaching the return fixture.
“The personnel that we have brings a lot of flexibility within the squad. Our coach knows exactly what is needed and our players are equipped enough to make changes in the team.
“It is going to be another tough battle for us, it will be a physical battle and I know that we are capable of moving the ball and not trying to get into duels. We are experienced enough to deal with it but it is going to take a lot more courage and grit to get over it.”
It's match day in Senegal
— Banyana_Banyana (@Banyana_Banyana) June 4, 2024
Round 🥊🥊against Senegal 🇸🇳
⏲️7pm
🏟 Stade Lat Dior
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