BANYANA COACH FORCED TO TTRIM RIO 2016 SQUAD

BANYANA COACH FORCED TO TTRIM RIO 2016 SQUAD Head coach of the South African women's football team, Vera Pauw, has trimmed down her squad of 29. Pauw needs only 18 official players and four reservists to make up a final squad of 22 that will represent South Africa at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in August. Goalkeepers Mpho Tefo and Yolula Tsawe, defenders Letago Madiba and Jabulile Mazibuko as well as striker Andisiwe Mgcoyi have been left out of the squad. Pauw says this was the toughest decision she had to make. “The worst job of any coach in the world is to have to trim down the squad to the required official number. Unfortunately it is something that has to be done. If truth be told, I hate my job when it comes to having to leave players out of the squad. “And, sadly, I am well aware that I am destroying dreams so it is not something we take very lightly – we put very serious thoughts into the process that has been going on for weeks now,” said Pauw. “But I would like to say to the players that are out of the squad, not all is totally lost because if there is a need for them to be recalled we will certainly do so. “Should there be an injury they will be the first to be contacted so they cannot afford to lose hope or take it easy, they need to continue training so that if that call comes, they are ready. So the bottom line is the door is not closed on them.” With the five players out of the squad from the initial 29, the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana will now have 26 players at the start of the next training camp – with the addition of US-based striker Jermaine Seoposenwe and goalkeeper Kaylin Swart. But only 25 players will travel to The Netherlands. Midfielder Silindile Ngubane will not be part of the squad as she has a family commitment, but she is expected back in camp when Banyana Banyana return from Europe. Pauw has until July 14 to name her final squad of 22 players.