North West Premier, Thandi Modise has encouraged women not to be afraid to join the male dominated sports such as football.
Speaking during the closing ceremony of 16 days of Activism for no violence against women and children and ahead of the Banyana Banyana vs Botswana International Friendly match which was held at Moruleng stadium on Monday, Premier Modise said the match must be used to encourage more women in the province to join professional football.
“Women have got the potential to perform wonders in every sporting activity they choose as their career. They must not be discouraged and tortured by men who always tell them that this is a male only sport.
Banyana Banyana has proven to other women that not only men can do well in football but women can play outstanding football as well,” said Premier Modise.
At Moruleng stadium, Banyana Banyana finished off by thrashing Botswana 3 -0 in a match which was full of entertainment.
The Sasol- sponsored national senior women’s team were 2 -0 at halftime, in a match staged to mark the end of the North West Provincial Government’s 16 days campaign.
Banyana Banyana national Coach, Josesh Mkhonza used the match played in hot condition, to give as many players game time as possible with midfielders in, Presocious Matabologa and Maile Makola both earning their first international caps.
This was the first time that the Southern African neighbours had met since last year’s all- Africa games qualifiers, which saw Botswana, stun the South Africans 1-0 in Polokwane before Banyana Banyana crushed their opponents 4-0 on an artificial pitch in Gaborone to advance to their African showpiece held in Mozambique in September 2011.
Banyana Banyana’s Portia Modise who was doing her 100 caps in the national team expressed her appreciation for the support she got from the fans since she started playing for the national team.
She also encouraged more women to join female football.
“I think that there are more women who have the ability to play football in the country; it’s just that some are too scared because only male football is only take seriously,” she said.
On 16 days campaign, Modise said women must not allow themselves to be abused by men.
“We must not allow ourselves to be the object of abuse as females of this country. We must take a stand and say not to abuse,” she said.
South African Football NEC Member Nomsa Mahlangu expressed gratitude to the North West Provincial government for being the first province to congratulate the Banyana Banyana national team for their good performance during the Africa games and the London Olympics at a gala dinner hosted in honour of Banyana Banyana.
In acknowledging the enormous contribution of SASOL as a partners and ” the fuel under Banyana Banyana's wings” that allows Banyana Banyana to sour high above many, Mahlangu also thanked Botswana for beating Banyana Banyana during their earlier encounter and run-up to the Olympics games.
“That loss against you made us realise that we are not there yet and we needed to work harder. You gave us a wake- up call that pushed us to make it to the Olympics,” she said.
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