Banyana’s Swart admits pressure ahead of Congo tie

Coming from a 1-all draw against DR Congo on Wednesday afternoon, Banyana Banyana goalkeeper Kaylin Swart admits they are under pressure.

Banyana will look for nothing but a win at home when they host DR Congo next week in the return leg of the crucial Olympics qualifier.

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Coach Desiree Ellis’ and her Banyana troops rallied to secure a draw away from home and Swart wants the team to win at Orlando Stadium.

Swart says the pressure is still on the team and concedes that every opponent wants to beat them just like Congo did in Kinshasa.

WHY BANYANA’S SWART FEELS THEY’RE UNDER PRESSURE VS. CONGO

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The reigning African champions, Banyana will welcome the Congolese in Soweto on Tuesday, October 31 as they chase a spot at the Olympics.

In addition, the JVW Ladies FC keeper, Swart lavished her defence with praise as they were solid – the likes of Karabo Dhlamini, Lonathemba Mhlongo, Wendy Shongwe, and Fikile Magama faced Congo.

While the central Africans opened the scoring, Banyana fought hard to find the back of the net through talented finisher, Thembi Kgatlana.

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“I think the pressure is still on us. We are also going to go in as African champions and everyone wants to beat Banyana, so we always need to step up and show why we are superior,” Swart said per Sowetan.

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“There was a lot of pressure on us but I must give credit to the youngsters that stepped up in the backline.

“They made me so proud, the way they fought for every ball. Congo are a physical team and they have very speedy wingers but I think we contained them quite well.”

SWART CONFIDENT OF BEATING DR CONGO IN SOWETO

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Despite admitting that they are under pressure, Swart remains upbeat that they can secure a win in front of their home crowds.

“I think we have enough quality in our team to get over this hurdle. We know what we need to do in the second leg,” Swart adds.

“Hopefully, everyone learnt some valuable lessons from this game, so we just hope to take those lessons back home and make sure that we convert the chances that we create.”

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