Banyana Banyana have enlisted the services of a psychologist to help players deal with the disappointment of missing out in the Women’s Fifa World Cup squad.
A total of 36 Banyana players are in a camp that will help coach Desiree Ellis and her technical team cut the squad to 23 for the tournament.
This year’s edition is to take place in Australia and New Zealand from July 20 to August 20. SA will play in group G with tough opponents Sweden, Italy and Argentina.
Ellis is expected to announce her squad of 23 soon.
Fifa has increased the stakes as players not selected for the final 23 will miss out on the appearance fees of R572,000.
Ellis said: “We have a psychologist in camp working with the players, because no matter what I say and how I say it, I am putting someone’s dreams on pause. That would be the most difficult thing, but it has to be done.
“That’s why this last session is important, so if I’m not sure about something I can always have a look,” she said.
“I have to make sure we replicate what we did at Wafcon, to make sure we choose a squad for every eventuality, to make sure we have enough cover, to make sure in the different ways we want to play that we have the right personnel.”
Banyana’s first game will be against Sweden in Wellington, New Zealand, on July 23.
They will face Argentina in Dunedin on July 28, while their last game of the group stages is against Italy in Wellington on August 2.
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