Banyana defender on training with experienced players ahead of COSAFA Final

Banyana finished top of their group then defeated neighbours Zimbabwe via penalties after coming from behind and finishing the game 1-1 in open play. O'Malley says they are well prepared for the final.

"I think we've prepared very well, I think going into it, I think we are all nervous because there are a lot of young players coming in as well, but having the experienced players around and having the ability to train with them, allowed us to see what we needed to do,” O’Malley said.

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“What was expected of us is the intensity we needed to bring. So, I think day in and day out we all just always showed up and did our best in training every single day and took what the coaches told us and applied it in the game as well."

The national team will jet off to Morocco early this month to compete in the Women's Africa Cup of Nations.

The UWC defender believes that the COSAFA tournament was a great platform for players to showcase their talent ahead of the continental competition.

"I think it's just extra motivation because you know what you are working towards at the end of the day and that's why this camp is before the WAFCON as well, so that we can come in and we can, I guess, prove ourselves and show what we are capable of,” she added.

“So, yeah, I think it's a good test for the coaches to see where players are at, especially in terms of new girls coming in and some players having preseason and others not having any preseason.

“I think it's just bringing the intensity and starting the game on the right foot, playing from the beginning until the final whistle."