Smidt – It Will Be A Mental Battle

Banyana Banyana midfielder Thalea Smidt says it will be a mental battle when they face the Netherlands in an international friendly in Holland on Tuesday.

Desiree Ellis’ team face the Dutch team in Den Haag at the Cars Jeans Stadion at 18h45 (SAST).

The 25-year-old Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder said that while most local clubs are in pre-season, but most of the internationally-based players who linked up with team in Europe, are active.

“The league has not started yet, but most of us are further into pre-season and we have been playing friendly matches,” Smidt told SAFA media.

“This should help us a lot going into our International friendly against the Netherlands. However, we should not be thinking too much about not being in season with our respective teams, and like the coach said, it will be a mental battle at the end of the day and it will be good to test ourselves against the best in the world.”

“We also still have our international-based players joining us and most, if not all, are active in their leagues, and when they join us they will boost the team morale and we will be ready to go.”

🇿🇦 @Banyana_Banyana arrived safely in Amsterdam ahead of their friendly against the Netherlands.

Desiree Ellis and her squad are preparing for the upcoming Africa Women Cup of Nations. pic.twitter.com/e63Z7HA4rQ

— iDiski Times (@iDiskiTimes) April 9, 2022

Meanwhile coach Desiree Ellis echoed Smidt’s words, and says the Dutch team will be a good gauge for the team’s progress.

““We are excited. It’s another opportunity for the players to test themselves,” Ellis said.

“For us to test ourselves and try and improve on previous performances, and not just improve but to be able to see if the players have the mental capacity to push through.”

Banyana Announce Squad To Face Netherlands