Banyana newbie Thalea Smidt hopes to make international splash soon after club excellence

Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies midfielder Thalea Smidt hopes her continental experience will help Banyana Banyana with their African Women's Cup of Nations qualifying hurdle.

Before they worry about next week's qualification assignment against Algeria, with the first leg being at home on 18 February, they have a friendly date against fellow Cosafa combatants Zambia in Lusaka on Saturday.

The 24-year-old from Strandfontein, who has been a serial trophy winner with Masandawana, expects to have a tough international initiation against Zambia should she make her international debut.

Zambia participated at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics where aside from a 10-3 hammering at the hands of the Netherlands, acquitted themselves well with a 4-4 draw against China and a 1-0 loss against Brazil.

Barbra Banda scored two hat-tricks in the group stages and having watched Zambia, Smidt said they'll be exactly what they need ahead of next week's Algeria date.

"I watched one or two games and they were quite tactical. They went to the Olympics with a plan and they applied them in each game," Smidt said.

"It must have been a good experience for them to be there because you also get an opportunity to measure yourself against elite athletes.

"The friendly will give us an idea of what to expect in the qualifier and we know Zambia aren't walkovers.

"They went to the Olympics, and they beat us in the Cosafa Cup.

A broken ankle in 2019 slowed down Smidt's progression, but with SA not short of midfield options, Smidt understands she may have to wait her turn.

However, Smidt is grateful that she's in the set-up and understands the step up that she needs to make to fight for a place in the team.

"I got a call up in 2015, but because of injuries, I've had to wait seven years