Pretoria - South African Football Association (SAFA) President, Kirsten Nematandani, has praised Banyana Banyana for reaching the semi-finals of the 7th CAF African Women's Championship.
Banyana Banyana played three matches, winning two and losing one. In their opening match played at the Sinaba Stadium in Daveyton, the home team beat Tanzania 2-1, but fell to Nigeria by the same margin.
"There is no better time than now for our girls, and we are saying to them seize the moment. First, let's congratulate them for qualifying for the semi-final of this tough competition and add that there is no perfect opportunity to qualify for the Women's World Cup than now.
"We believe in them and we know they can do it. As SAFA, and South Africans in general, we are behind them and are very optimistic that they will do well on Thursday.
"We are hoping they will be able to achieve their dreams of qualifying for their first ever World Cup tournament," Nematandani said.
He thanked all football lovers for the support they have given to the team and urged them to continue coming in numbers to spur Banyana Banyana on in their quest for glory.
Banyana Banyana bounced back with a convincing 4-nil victory over Mali in the final group stage match played at the Sinaba Stadium last Sunday.
Now, South Africa is joined in the last four by Nigeria, defending champions, Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon.
Banyana will face Equatorial Guinea on Thursday at the Sinaba Stadium in Daveyton. Kick-off is at 15:30.
Earlier in the day, Nigeria will entertain Cameroon in the other semi-final match at the same venue. The winners of the two matches will qualify automatically for the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup in Germany.
