It is every player’s dream to play for their country, more so at the biggest stage in world football.
The same goes true for Robyn Moodaly, a product of the famed SAFA High Performance Centre (HPC) in Pretoria.
Born in East London in the Eastern Cape 29 years ago, the midfielder spent some time in the USA where she was studying before returning to South Africa and settled in Johannesburg.
She runs out for JVW in the Hollywoodbets Super League and wears the captain’s armband. Moodaly was instrumental in helping the side gain promotion to South Africa’s elite women’s football league from the Sasol League.
With 42 caps to her name, she made her Banyana Banyana debut in 2011 against Zambia at the age of 16.
And it was no surprise that she was part of the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games squads under coaches Joseph Mkhonza and Vera Pauw.
But prior to that, she made the trip to Trinidad and Tobago with the South African U17 Women’s National team for the 2010 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup alongside current Banyana Banyana teammates, Kaylin Swart, Jermaine Seoposenwe and Nomvula Kgoale.
Moodaly is also an African Champion after helping South Africa lift their maiden CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations trophy in Morocco last year.
She has come a long way, but nothing beats being in New Zealand for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup – after missing out in France four years ago.
The Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana have already played two games Down Under, and are yet to register their first win in the tournament – after a loss (Sweden) and a draw (Argentina).
They are standing at the gates of glory, and just one away from rewriting the history books.
South Africa takes on Italy in their last group stage fixture, and needs nothing but victory to progress to the next round for the first time ever.
Moodaly has been an unused substitute on the Banyana Banyana bench, but still harbours hopes of playing – more so because changes are expected in the starting line-up following the absence of Kholosa Biyana (two yellow cards) while it is still not clear if captain Refiloe Jane (ankle injury) will get out of the medical room.
The nifty midfielder last donned the national team colours when she came on for Linda Motlhalo in the 2-0 win against Costa Rica in a friendly last month (15 July) in Christchurch, New Zealand.
CentreCircle.online sat down with Moodaly ahead of the crucial Italy clash taking place at the Wellington Regional Stadium on Wednesday (2 August), kicking off at 09h00 SA Time.
This will be the first time the two sides meet ever.
You watched Sweden vs Italy – what’s your take on the Italians?
Football is a strange game you can’t just take it lightly. Obviously we knew that Sweden is very strong when it comes to set pieces and we saw that, however, when you look at our game they had about 13 set pieces and they didn’t take their chances against us. We know that Italy is a team that has skill in terms of tactical and technical ability, so it’s going to be a tough game.
How is the team feeling? And what do you need to do differently from the last matches to get the desired result?
The team spirit is quite high, we have one more game to go (in the group stages) and we know this is a do or die affair, this is a final. Basically, we know what’s expected of us, and the positives that we can take is that we scored in the past two games but unfortunately, we didn’t get three points. However, we know what the game plan is and we’re looking forward to the game.
As a player with your experience but haven’t played so far how important is it to support from the bench?
Extremely important! I mean the players around the bench and the players on the field, we you know we equal. When I play, I would want to support exactly the same way so it’s vital that we together be united, and I think that’s what’s going to help us get through this.
Is that what is happening now in the team? Are you a united front?
Yes of course, and I think as we progress and as we’re moving forward, we become more united. And it’s going to show on the field because we’re going to need each other more than ever on Wednesday.
Players on the bench normally have a better view, what have you seen from the last two games to rectify against Italy?
Yeah it’s definitely easy from the perspective of sitting outside to see, but I personally feel in terms of getting the early goals, and then game management and I think we have the players to do that – players that are coming in, with the players that are starting, so I think it’s vital knowing when to control the game and when to press and to score, but we have the capabilities, we definitely have the qualities to get the three points.
Talks of reaching the next stage of the competition started a long time ago, which will be historic, and not just the last Round of 16 but as far as you can go…
Definitely! Coming into this World Cup, and it’s our second time, however we didn’t just come here just to go through the motions. as much as we got the one point and it’s something that we’re proud of, we wanted the three points, we want our first win, we want to make history. Look at Morocco, they are the biggest inspiration in the men’s side where they went so far where people didn’t expect it, so I think we just want to get through to round 16 and from there it’s anybody’s game.
As we said earlier, you’re one of those players that haven’t played, should an opportunity arise that you get to play, how ready are you?
Extremely ready! I’ve been preparing for this even before camp, this is the biggest stage so if I do get an opportunity, I’m going to give my all, I am going to do everything in my power to help the team.
After missing out in 2019 in France, being at the World Cup itself, what does it mean whether you play or not?
It means everything! Unfortunately, I wasn’t available at the last World Cup, I’ve had a lot of injuries in my career so just being here, being around this group, the experience and just taking it all in, it means a lot to me.
FORM BOOK – LAST THREE GAMES:
SOUTH AFRICA:
2-0 WIN vs Costa Rica (friendly)
1-2 LOSS vs Sweden (2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup)
2-2 DRAW vs Argentina (2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup)
ITALY:
0-0 DRAW vs Morocco (friendly)
1-0 WIN vs Argentina (2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup)
0-5 LOSS vs Sweden (2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup)
(CentreCircle.online is at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup courtesy of Sasol, sponsors of Banyana Banyana)
